RABI ALAWWAL 18, 1439 AH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Max 26º 32 Pages 150 Fils Established 1961 Min 06º

ISSUE NO: 17399 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait makes progress Houthis rally after EU blacklists 17 tax havens, 3 in rehab of ex-militants 11 killing ex-strongman 17 including Bahrain and UAE

Amir calls for mechanism to resolve GCC disputes

FM stresses summit a success • UAE, Saudi Arabia form new alliance

By B Izzak and Agencies

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah called yesterday for the formation of a committee that will look into modifying the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) statute to establish a clear mechanism for resolving disputes between member states. In his address to the 38th Gulf Summit, the Amir affirmed that this step will help the council to continue its leading role. The Amir said that he was pleased with the proceedings of the current summit, adding that it was important for the GCC members to continue such gatherings. “Any dispute on the Gulf level must not affect the con- tinuation of the summit,” HH the Amir said. He noted that despite “negative developments and sorrowful events” over the last six months, GCC leaders managed to calm the situation, which is an important step in addressing the recent feud. “We have been stormed in the past six months with painful and negative developments... but we managed to achieve calm,” he said. Sheikh Sabah has been mediating to try to resolve a bitter dispute between Qatar on one side and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt on the other. On June 5, the Saudi alliance cut off all diplo- matic and economic ties with Qatar, accusing it of links KUWAIT: (From left) General Secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Kuwaiti Crown Prince HH Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Al- to extremist groups. Doha has denied the allegations. Thani, Kuwaiti Amir HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister of Oman Fahd Al-Said, Bahrain’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Al-Khalifa, Saudi Foreign Minister “We will continue this role (mediation) in the dispute,” Adel Al-Jubeir and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash pose for a group picture during the GCC Summit at Bayan Palace yesterday. - KUNA (See Pages 2 & 3) HH the Amir said. “Our meeting today is a reason to con- tinue the mediation which fulfills the ambitions of our life of the GCC. “I am full of hope that the summit will “bear their responsibility” in encouraging unity. Reading “unity and coordination” and strengthening their ties in people.” lead to results that will maintain the security of the Gulf out the ‘Kuwait Declaration’ at the session’s conclusion, the economic, security and military domains, particularly Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who and its stability,” Tamim said, according to the Doha- GCC chief Abdullatif Al-Zayani said it was imperative that regarding the fight against terrorism. Gulf states are also with Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Sabah were the only heads of based Al-Jazeera. Gulf states unite in their efforts to face challenges and keen to continue working on several joint projects, state to attend the meeting, acknowledged that the sum- The summit’s closing statement urged commitment to threats to their security and stability. including the GCC joint market and their customs union. mit took place in “highly sensitive circumstances” in the the six-nation bloc’s system and for the region’s media to Zayani said Gulf leaders see eye-to-eye on achieving Continued on Page 11

Amir receives US Trump to move Defense Secretary US embassy to Jerusalem; Erdogan warns of ‘red line’ WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump faced down warnings of widespread Middle East unrest and untold damage to the peace process yesterday, telling anxious Arab leaders he still intends to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. Amid a frantic round of tele- phone diplomacy, Trump told Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah that the deeply controversial move was coming, but crucially did not give a timeframe. KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Trump “informed the president (Abbas) on his Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied by HH the Crown Prince intention to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Donald Trump Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Jerusalem,” the Palestinian leader’s office said in a yesterday at Bayan Palace US Defense Secretary James statement that was echoed in Amman. Trump must embassy right away, but may issue a statement reiterat- west Jerusalem is and will continue to be part of Israel Mattis and his accompanying delegation. Mattis con- this week decide whether to sign a waiver keeping ing his intent and even go as far as recognizing under any settlement. veyed greetings and appreciation on behalf of US the embassy in Tel Aviv or fulfill a campaign promise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. That could upend a Still, it risks extinguishing Trump’s efforts to broker President Donald Trump and his wishes to HH the Amir, and move it to Jerusalem - de facto recognizing decades-old Western policy - observed by both Middle East peace and igniting the flames of conflict in and prosperity to the people of Kuwait. In turn, the Israel’s claim on the disputed city. Such a move would Republican and Democratic presidents - that stated a region already reeling from crises in Lebanon, Syria, Amir expressed his appreciation to Trump and his best please Trump’s conservative and evangelical donors Jerusalem’s status can only be decided by negotiation. Iraq, Yemen and Qatar. “Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a red wishes to the United States and further progress and and voter base. The White House argues that such a move would not line for Muslims,” Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip prosperity. — KUNA US officials said he will hold off on moving the prejudge final talks and would represent the reality that Continued on Page 11

One month on, Hariri rescinds Bid to smuggle 110 kg shock resignation hashish by sea foiled By Hanan Al-Saadoun BAABDA, Lebanon: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said yesterday that he had withdrawn his resigna- KUWAIT: Interior ministry tion, a month after his shock announcement that he was authorities, in cooperation with quitting sparked political upheaval. The announcement brought some respite to Lebanon, which had been the coastguard and defense gripped by fears of new political and economic instabili- intelligence officers, yesterday ty in a country riven by deep divisions and caught up in foiled a bid to smuggle into regional rivalries. Minutes after Hariri’s announcement, Kuwait 110 kilos of hashish by Paris said the Lebanese premier would attend talks boat from Iran. Two Kuwaitis Friday in France on the situation in Lebanon, which US and five Iranians were arrested Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will also attend. red-handed. Authorities had “The council of ministers thanks the prime minister received information that a 42- for rescinding his resignation,” Hariri said, reading from year-old Kuwaiti with a criminal Kuwaiti accomplice. A dhow a cabinet statement issued after its first meeting since record planned to smuggle in with five Iranians and the con- his return two weeks ago. Hariri announced he was the hashish, so he was put under traband was waiting to meet stepping down on November 4 in a televised address surveillance. Narcotics detec- them. They were intercepted by from Saudi Arabia, a move widely seen as part of the tives followed the suspect yes- the detectives, and the seven BAABDA: Lebanese President Michel Aoun (right) speaks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the boiling tensions between the Saudi kingdom - a long- terday, who went out to sea in a men and 110 kg of hashish were Presidential Palace yesterday. — AP time Hariri backer - and its regional rival Iran. boat from Fintas along with a seized, along with their boats. Continued on Page 11 2 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Amir meets with Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim, GCC chief delegates

Summit important for regional stability, security: Qatari Emir

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with the representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed of Oman, Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs Fahad bin Mahmoud with the representative of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al- meets with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. — KUNA Al-Saeed. Saud, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah, ministers and senior officers in the military, Al-Sabah received Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, police, National Guard and Kuwait Fire Services Directorate. in presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- Regional stability Ghanem, and Deputy Chief of the Kuwait National Guard Sheikh Sheikh Tamim had hoped that the 38th Gulf Cooperation Council Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, ahead of attending the 38th Summit would contribute to the security and stability of the region. Gulf Cooperation Council (GGC) In a press statement upon his arrival at Summit yesterday. the airport, Sheikh Tamim expressed Receiving the Qatari Emir at sincere gratitude towards His Highness Kuwait International Airport were His the Amir and the Kuwaiti people for Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sheikh Tamim their warm generosity and hospitality. Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sheikh Tamim stressed that the current Sabah, the First Deputy Prime grateful for situation in the region required the Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh council’s members to band together Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s against all odds and challenges. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary His Highness the Amir also received General Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Deputy generosity representative of Saudi Arabia’s King Prime Minister and Defence Minister Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Foreign Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, as well as rep- Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister for resentative of Sultan Qaboos bin Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Saeed of Oman, Deputy Prime Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Minister for Cabinet Affairs Fahad bin Mahmoud Al-Saeed, and Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Bahrain’s chief delegate Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives Bahrain’s chief Minister Anas Al-Saleh, State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Senior Kuwaiti officials also attended the delegate Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Acting Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al- meetings. — KUNA Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, December 6, 2017 GCC will continue leading role despite challenges: Amir Sheikh Sabah hails victories against terrorism

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad all forms of assistance, especially humanitarian relief, to Al-Jaber Al-Sabah affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation the Yemenis. His Highness the Amir called on the Houthi Council (GCC) will carry on its leading role in the region group to abide by the political solution in Yemen, saying despite the numerous challenges and upheavals. Delivering that the UNSC resolution 2216, the Gulf initiative, and his speech at the inauguration of the 38th Gulf Summit in national dialogue were part of the solution. Kuwait yesterday, His Highness the Amir welcomed the par- ticipation of various delegations in the grand meeting. The Peace process holding of the summit proves to the world that the GCC, as Concerning the peace process in the Middle East, His an important entity, needs to continue to address the needs Highness the Amir expressed hopes that such stalemate in of the people of the region, said His Highness the Amir. His the process be moved forward in order to reach a just and Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah everlasting peace agreement for the sake of substantiating thanked the Bahraini King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa for the stability of the region and the world in accordance to hosting the previous summit in the Arab peace initiative and Manama, saying that the international resolutions in this Bahraini leadership and people regard. His Highness the Amir always contributed to the suc- also congratulated the Iraqis cess of the GCC since its incep- for liberating areas that were tion. His Highness the Amir under the control of the so- touched on the Gulf countries’ Iran still violates called Islamic State (IS/Daesh). joint accomplishments since the He reiterated the GCC’s bid to formation of the council, adding principles continue working with the Iraqi that the future still holds more government to maintain stabili- goals to achieve and milestones of int’l law ty of Iraq, stressing the signifi- KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah delivers his speech at the inauguration of to surpass. Uniting the Gulf cance of participating in the the 38th Gulf Summit in Kuwait. — KUNA countrie’s efforts against conference slated for mid- regional and international chal- February in Kuwait dedicated lenges will ensure the security and stability of the council, for the reconstruction of Iraqi areas affected by Daesh. On exchanged points of view regarding various challenges Meanwhile, GCC Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Zayani His Highness the Amir affirmed. Iran, His Highness the Amir said that the Islamic Republic of facing the region. His Highness the Amir added that the said that Gulf states are confident in the wisdom of His Iran was still violating principles of international law. He participants succeeded once again in affirming the Highness the Amir. Speaking in his address at the Kuwait- Victories against terrorism called on Iran to abide by rules, which respect the sover- strength of “our Gulf entity and its ability to defy chal- held talks, Zayani said Gulf officials attending the six-nation The International community managed to achieve vic- eignty and internal affairs of neighboring states, affirming lenges through our adherence to the mechanism of con- bloc’s 38th session were keen to maintain their unity. Zayani tories against terrorism in both Iraq and Syria; however, that this was an integral condition, which ensures the stabili- vention of these meetings, besides the decisions we have expressed confidence that the Kuwait-hosted talks would the threat of extremism is still at large, said His Highness ty of the region. His Highness the Amir asked Allah Almighty reached that will contribute with no doubt in enriching our support reaching the people of the region’s aspired goals blessed experience and our joint GCC march in order to the Amir who called for more efforts in this regard. to preserve stability of the GCC states and continue and aspirations. He also underlined the importance of “unity His Highness the Amir lauded the Saudi efforts in unit- bestowing his blessings and welfare on the GCC peoples. meet aspirations of the Gulf peoples.” His Highness the and integration” and keeping the GCC “cohesive and united ing the front of the Syrian opposition, hoping that this pol- Amir thanked the Secretary General of the GCC and the in the face of current and future challenges.” He also icy will bring peace to the war-torn country. Focusing on Good opportunity General Secretariat and all committees, which have exert- Yemen, His Highness the Amir commended the efforts car- At the conclusion of the summit, His Highness said that ed enormous efforts to prepare for this meeting. He thanked Bahrain for hosting the summit’s past session, and ried out by the coalition, which supports the legitimacy in the summit was a good opportunity to meet with GCC expressed wishes to meet in the Sultanate of Oman in the congratulated the Kingdom, along with the United Arab Yemen, adding that it was important to continue providing brothers in their second home Kuwait, adding that they hospitality of Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed. Emirates, Qatar and Oman on their national days. — KUNA

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, during which they discussed regional and interna- US Defense tional developments, and means of boost- Secretary ing bilateral ties. Grave consequences In other news, Kuwait’s Permanent concludes visit Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Ahmad Al-Bakr has warned of grave consequences if the US goes to Kuwait through with a plan to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize the city as the KUWAIT: United States Defense capital of Israel. In a speech during an Secretary James Mattis and an accompa- emergency meeting of the Arab League on nying delegation left Kuwait yesterday the level of permanent representatives in after a three-day visit. Mattis was seen off Cairo, Bakr, who heads the Kuwaiti dele- by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of gation to the meeting, described the Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al- prospect as “worrying and a threat to the Hamad Al-Sabah, the Ministry of Defense’s peace and security of the region.” Directorate of Moral Guidance and Public “The Palestinians retain a historic right Relations. Kuwait’s Army Chief of Staff Lt of sovereignty over the holy city of Gen Mohammad Al-Khodor, Deputy Chief Jerusalem,” the Kuwaiti envoy said. He of Staff Lt Gen Abdullah Al-Nawaf Al- underlined Kuwait’s support to the Arab Sabah and the US Ambassador to Kuwait Peace Initiative, which calls for a broad and Lawrence Silverman were present, togeth- comprehensive peace plan to the Israeli- er with senior military commanders. Palestinian conflict. “We deplore any prac- Separately, Kuwait First Deputy Prime tices or measures that tamper with the sta- Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh tus quo in Jerusalem and urge the US to Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah had make a prudent decision on this issue,” received a phone call Monday from US Bakr added. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sees off US Defense Secretary James Mattis as he leaves Kuwait yesterday. — KUNA

Kuwait makes progress in rehabilitation of ex-militants KUWAIT: Ambassador Nasser Al- Sabeeh speaks during the work- KUWAIT: Kuwait has taken concrete and shop. — KUNA effective measures to assimilate the flow of militants returning from war zones, a Kuwaiti diplomat said yesterday. Al-Sabeeh on behalf of Jarallah. Jarallah Addressing a workshop hosted by the for- said that this workshop proves Kuwait’s eign ministry germane to this issue, determination to ensure that peace and Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled stability is restored to areas where conflict Al-Jarallah spoke of a strategy to rehabili- runs rampant. The Kuwaiti envoy added tate the former fighters after they are guar- that the scourge of terrorism continues to anteed a fair trial. threaten global peace and security, leaving On Kuwait’s efforts to address the issue, destruction and the spread of malicious he said that tremendous headway has been ideologies in its wake. made in the fight against terrorism and Jarallah expressed hope that initiatives extremism, a matter he pointed out was of such as this workshop, which brings paramount significance to the Kuwaiti together a number of anti-terrorism leadership. The statement was delivered by experts as well as local and foreign offi- Assistant Foreign Minister for cials, would prove instrumental in protect- Development and International ing youth from the ill effects of radicaliza- Cooperation affairs Ambassador Nasser tion and terrorism. — KUNA 4 Established 1961 Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Local

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: A white-eared bulbul perched on a tree branch in Kuwait University. —KUNA ‘Wings of Mexico’ descending in Kuwait Sculpture unveiled at Museum of Modern Arts

By Jeri Al-Jeri

KUWAIT: Arts are a silent yet penetrating form of communication. The sculptor Jorge Marin have created two golden wings that have traveled the world with him, with critics wanting to theorize about the hidden mean- ings behind this simple yet magnificent piece of art. The ‘Wings of Mexico’ sculpture was unveiled at the Museum of Modern Arts in Kuwait City yesterday. The Mexican Ambassador to Kuwait Miguel Angel Isidero and Dr Ali Hussain Al-Youha, Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters attended the unveiling of the sculpture which is displayed in Kuwait as part of Marin’s international tour. In his own words, Mexican Ambassador to Kuwait Miguel Angel the Mexican artist explains the reason behind Isidero delivers his speech. his enthusiasm for sharing his art with people around the globe: “The way that Mexicans have appropriated these wings and the way people around the world have interacted with them, made me want to bring the universality of Mexican art to all frontiers. It is a gateway KUWAIT: Officials pose for a group photo in front of the ‘Wings of Mexico’ sculpture at the to Mexico, and from Mexico to the world.” Museum of Modern Arts.—Photos by Joseph Shagra The artist also had some words to say about the arrival of his ‘Wings of Mexico’ piece to Kuwait: “It is a privilege to bring this art to Kuwait, where it will achieve its goal of becoming a meeting point between people and cultures.” In a speech during the event, Ambassador Isidero explained that these glorious wings that are more than four meters high and weigh 1.6 tons, were created in a studio in Mexico City. “It has begun its flight in 2010, and have dazzled millions of people in four continents,” he said. The Embassy of Mexico, the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Kuwait, and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters of Kuwait, KGL logistics, AirFrance-KLM, and Kuwait International Bank, were all thanked by Jorge Marin for making the graceful landing of the wings of Mexico in Kuwait a realty. The ‘Wings of Mexico’ sculpture. Guests pose in front of the sculpture.

scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a which they apply for the Global UGRAD Program. through academic work, community involvement, and US college or university to a diverse group of emerging leaders. So, those who apply from Kuwait, must be studying extracurricular activities. US Exchange Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to US in Kuwait. ● Applicants must demonstrate a command of written society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as an oppor- ● Scholarships will be granted to students who cur- and spoken English. The TOEFL exam will be required opportunity tunity to enhance their professional skills. All participants will be rently are enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs of those selected as finalists. Preference will be given to enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate course work only, having completed a minimum of their first semester those who have had little or NO experience in the US or chosen from their US host institution’s existing curriculum. of study. Participants must have at least one semester or outside of their home countries. The application period for the US Department of State-sponsored an equivalent term to complete at their home institu- ● Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is Eligibility for the Global UGRAD Program tions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program. US citizens and permanent residents of the United now open through December 31, 2017. Global UGRAD provides a ● Applicants must be studying in the country in ● Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential States are not eligible for the Global UGRAD Program. Established 1961 5 Local Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Declaring the Truth Universal Iraq yet to approve proposed catastrophes imported gas price: Oil Minister

Co-ops suspended for not recruiting enough citizens By Dr Yousuf Al-Sultan By A Saleh consolidation with His Highness the Supreme Council of Planning and Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Development, as well as the Finance KUWAIT: Kuwaiti and Iraqi officials Sabah’s efforts to hold the GCC Summit. Ministry. The sources added that the will soon meet to discuss the final terms The decision also came in response to project’s estimated cost would be KD [email protected] of an agreement by which Kuwait would news he received about forming the 90 million and that it will be executed import natural gas from Iraq, Minister of new cabinet next week, Kandari added. in two years to develop 1.8 kilometers Oil and Minister of Electricity and of the seafront and achieve substantial We do believe that God has complete power, Water Essam Al-Marzouq said yester- Co-ops suspended development in its public services. The control and knowledge over everything we might day. “We are still waiting for the Iraqi The Ministry of Social Affairs and project includes building restaurants, be affected by as a result of natural disasters. side’s approval on the proposed price,” Labor (MSAL) tends to suspend the cafes, an outdoor sports club, jogging Nevertheless, such beliefs do not deviate from he underlined. Marzouq met with his applications and transactions of ten co- lanes, facilities for various marine and scientific, theological and research observations Iraqi counterpart at the sidelines of the operative societies upon the minister’s beach activities and parking spaces for and conclusions, since the universe and personal recent OPEC meeting held in Vienna to instructions as the concerned co-ops 1,950 vehicles. “A meeting will be held attitudes are completely governed and con- discuss reducing oil productions. had not been cooperating in recruiting on May 10 between MPW and the trolled by Almighty God, even prior to the cre- In other news, Marzouq signed yes- more citizens. Controversy took place Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) ation of the universe. terday a KD 14 million ($46 million) concerning an agreement signed by to discuss further details,” the sources In August 2017, an Indian scientist named contract to build a water pipeline sys- MSAL, co-ops and the Manpower and concluded. Babu Kalyil predicted via research and scientific tem stretching from a water Oil Minister Essam Al-Marzouq calculation that before December 31, 2017, the distribution plant in Mina KPC budget world would experience a vicious series of Abdullah to the areas of A governmental document earthquakes and tsunamis, specifically in the Julaiaa and Nuwaiseeb. A 30- showed that Kuwait Petroleum 2017 as well as the remarks made by Indian Ocean associated with Seesham Storm month timeframe has been put Lawmaker Corporation’s (KPC) budget by the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) (with velocity of 120-180 km per hour), com- on the mega project, involving the end of the fiscal year 2016- recruitment supervisors in 2017. The bined with heavy rain. Seaside cities and areas the construction of a 1,200 suspends 2017 included extra KD 4 bil- committee explained that the report would be affected severely and dramatically. MM pipeline that connects lion it had made in the years included monitoring 59 government According to Kalyil, such disasters would Mina Abdullah to the border of plans to 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 bodies and showed that violations affect the following countries: India, China, the two areas, read a statement making the 2016-2017 fiscal detected in 2016-2017 had dropped by Japan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, by the Ministry of Electricity grill PM year’s actual revenues add up 8,400 compared to the previous year. Indonesia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and the Gulf and Water. The project is being to KD 17 billion with a 31.2 The report also showed that the Cooperation Council (GCC) states. carried out, given the soaring percent increase higher than Ministry of Health (MOH) made the The Holy Quran mentions in Surat Al-Hadeed demand for fresh water in the estimate. The document highest number of violations with that catastrophes affecting the world or human these areas and to keep other ongoing Government Restructuring Program to also revealed that KPC’s expenditure 13,700. The committee also noted that beings are documented and have been predeter- development enterprises afloat, the provide more job opportunities for had increased by 23.6 percent com- auditors usually faced obstacles on mined by God even prior to the creation of the statement added. Kuwaitis. pared to budget estimates making KD performing their duties in some gov- universe. However, our limited knowledge of such 15.6 billion that is 3 billion higher than ernment bodies where internal auditing heavenly issues hampers our ability to assess the Grilling suspended Seafront development estimates. departments are too week. A job justification of God’s doings which affect the uni- MP Abdul Kareem Al-Kandari Sources at the Ministry of Public vacancy ad made by the State Audit verse or us. The only measures that we could announced suspending a grilling motion Works (MPW) said that the ministry MOH violations Bureau sought the employment of employ is to predict the extreme damages he had intended to file against His had included a project to develop the The parliamentary budgets and final experienced auditors and stressed that resulting from such disasters, and to minimize Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh seafront within the development plan statement committee yesterday dis- it should rather employ new graduates their adverse and severe impacts. Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and projects for the fiscal year 2018-2019, cussed the State Audit Bureau report to help them acquire knowledge and stressed that the suspension came in which was recently submitted to the and remarks for the fiscal year 2016- experience.

Food Authority urges public to avoid unlicensed vendors

KUWAIT: EPA Director Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah looks on as students from the Hamad Essa Al-Rujaib High School pedal to generate clean electricity. — KUNA

By Meshaal Al-Enezi and corporate vendors to abide in Kuwait, to explore students’ by the authority’s law number activities in using solar, wind and KUWAIT: The Public Authority 112/2013 in order to avoid legal kinetic energies to generate elec- for Food and Nutrition recently accountability. tricity. Sheikh Abdullah thanked urged both citizens and expatri- the students and teachers for ates to be more careful when Environment-friendly school their efforts and expressed hopes dealing with unlicensed food Environment Public Authority that other schools would follow vendors, especially those who (EPA) Director Sheikh Abdullah the same example. The students provide home delivery services. Al-Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah were awarded with golden medals The authority’s general manager recently visited Hamad Essa Al- and certificates of appreciation and chairman Essa Al-Kandari Rujaib High School in Kaifan; the from international conferences in warned unlicensed individuals first environment-friendly school Switzerland and Germany. International WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Spain drops arrest warrant for sacked Catalonian leader UN envoy in N Korea as nuclear tensions soar Page 9 Page 8

CHONDE, Malawi: Members of the Lhomwe tribe of Malawi rehearse their traditional dances at Chonde, in the southern district of Mulanje. Southern Malawi has been at the heart of a recent panic spread by rumors of vampire activity. Witchcraft and vampire activity are widely believed in the country, which has sparked revenge mobs that kill those suspected of black magic. — AFP Vampire scare rattles Malawi Panic as vengeful mobs kill those suspected of black magic

MULANJE: Jamiya Bauleni is one of the said, pointing near her breast. Bauleni, who One purported victim, Florence Kalunga, the southern African country, where grinding anthropology at the Catholic University of people claiming to have fallen victim to a makes a living selling wild pea stew, said that 27, says she was sleeping alongside her hus- poverty and poor educational standards are Malawi, said the roots of the vampire scares wave of alleged vampire attacks that have before she fell unconscious she heard some- band in their home when she saw a light “like the norm. were in “economic hardships and inequali- triggered deadly vigilante violence in one fleeing the scene. She was taken to a fire”. “I heard the door open. I felt some- Entrepreneur Orlendo Chaponda narrow- ties”. “It’s the rich versus the poor. The poor Malawi. She recounted her experience clinic and later discharged after being ly avoided an attack when 2,000 vil- believe the rich are greedy and are sucking before barefoot children in Ngolongoliwa given vitamin supplements, but she lagers, some carrying machetes and the blood of poor people,” he said. Malawi is village in the country’s south, which has been chose not to report the attack. stones, stormed his home in Thyolo largely reliant on foreign aid, but some locals at the heart of recent panic over rumors of Woman claims on September 30. “They said I was view the assistance with suspicion. “To vil- vampire activity. Her story is part of a long ‘Like a needle’ keeping blood suckers,” said lagers, the thinking is that no gift is for free... line of similar testimonies in Malawi, where The latest bout of vampire rumors an attacker Chaponda, who was out at the time. you pay back through blood,” said Mtuta. He belief in witchcraft and vampire activity is allegedly originated in Mozambique “They could have killed me if they has researched the vampire phenomenon widespread and rouses revenge mobs that and spread across the border to sucked her found me.” He called the police who and has warned that violence would “resur- kill those suspected of black magic. Malawi’s districts of Mulanje and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd face unless the government learns how to Bauleni, a 40-year-old single mother with Phalombe, according to the United blood after a five-hour standoff. “There is handle contemporary issues”. one child, said that an attacker sucked her Nations. At least seven people have no truth about blood suckers, but McDonald Kolokombe, a clerk at the blood on the night of October 2 at her home been killed in Mulanje district after jealous people and thugs want to state-run Likhubula forest reserve, noted in Thyolo district. “This is not hearsay,” she being hunted down, police say. As take advantage to attack rich peo- that the number of tourists visiting the told a fascinated crowd as people edged public anger over supposed vampires ple,” Chaponda said. “If you have a Mulanje area had collapsed since mid- closer to listen. “I know my blood was grew, UN workers and US Peace nice car, you are a bloodsucker.” September. “The communities rely on sucked.” “I saw light on the corner of my Corps volunteers were pulled out of the thing like a needle in my finger,” she said. visitors to feed their families working as roof. I failed to stand up from my bed and region in October but they have now The people targeted by vengeful mobs are ‘Rich versus poor’ tour guides, porters and selling curios,” felt something piercing my left arm,” she returned. often wealthier individuals in rural parts of Anthony Mtuta, assistant lecturer in he said. — AFP

6 months of crisis in GCC of ideas, always introducing new things Nigerian to governance.” The commissioner’s job “is an inno- KUWAIT: The Gulf oil monarchies’ annual vation that should be copied by other summit was opened yesterday in Kuwait, six state gets governors,” he added. He “wants to months to the day after a diplomatic crisis always make the people happy. That’s erupted between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and ‘happiness why he has created a ministry for that its allies. A timeline: purpose.” The remote Himalayan king- dom of Bhutan is known for measuring Ties cut minister’ its success by Gross National Happiness On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United rather than Gross Domestic Product. Arab Emirates and Egypt along with Yemen Criteria taken into account include psy- and the Maldives sever diplomatic ties with LAGOS: It has been ranked among chological well-being, health, education, Qatar. They accuse Doha of supporting “ter- the happiest places in the world vitality in the community and the living rorists” and of being too close to Iran, Saudi KUWAIT: Kuwaiti and foreign journalists gather in the media centre hall during despite widespread unrest, political the GCC summit in Kuwait City yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat standards enjoyed by the population. Arabia’s regional rival. In the biggest diplomat- crisis and recession. Now one Okorocha, a leading member in ic crisis to hit the region in years, Riyadh and Nigerian state has a minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s All its allies close land and maritime borders, sus- deadline approaches, Qatar’s Foreign put up more than 220 million euros ($257 mil- charge of contentment. The commis- Progressives Congress party, is one of pend air links and expel Qatari citizens. Saudi Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman lion) for his transfer. On August 9, Qatar sioner for happiness and couples’ ful- Nigeria’s best-known but also contro- Arabia also closes the Riyadh bureau of Qatari Al-Thani says the list of demands “is unrealis- introduces a visa-free entry program for 80 fillment is the brainchild of Rochas versial state governors. broadcaster Al Jazeera. Qatar claims its neigh- tic and is not actionable”. A day later, the nationalities to stimulate air transport and Okorocha, governor of the southeast- He has been accused of appointing bors are pursuing a “policy of domination and four-nation Saudi-led bloc threatens new tourism. ern state of Imo. Okorocha, who was family members and cronies to govern- control” and insists it will not back down. On sanctions. On July 25, Saudi Arabia and its previously widely criticized for using ment offices without regard to the June 6, Mauritania joins the boycott and allies unveil a “terrorist” blacklist of 18 organ- First contact, suspicion public funds to erect statues of promi- state’s lean finances, including naming Jordan trims its diplomatic presence in Doha. izations and individuals suspected of links On September 9, Saudi state media say nent African leaders, on Monday his son-in-law as chief of staff. In recent On June 19, the UAE state minister for foreign with Islamist extremism that they say have Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al- appointed his sister to the post. months he has honored Liberia’s outgo- affairs Anwar Gargash says Qatar’s diplomatic ties with Qatar. The list now includes almost Thani phoned Saudi Crown Prince Ogechi Ololo now takes up the first ing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and isolation could last “years”. Doha demands the 90 names. Mohammed bin Salman to express interest in such portfolio in Nigeria. She previous- South Africa’s Jacob Zuma with statues “blockade” be lifted before talks on resolving talks to resolve the crisis. Shortly afterwards ly served as Okorocha’s deputy chief of in the state. Zuma’s statue was reported the standoff. Breaking isolation an official Saudi spokesman says Riyadh is staff and special adviser on domestic to have cost 520 million naira ($1.4 mil- On August 1, Qatar announces an order for “suspending all dialogue and all contacts with matters, in charge of Christmas decora- lion, 1.2 million euros). Okorocha was Ultimatum rejected seven warships from Italy. In June, it had Qatar” until Doha clarifies its position. On tions. The governor’s spokesman, Sam criticized for the expense as public sec- On June 22, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, signed an accord with the United States for October 19, US Secretary of State Rex Onwuemeodo, could not provide exact tor workers in Imo were owed several and the UAE send a list of 13 demands to the sale of F-15 fighter jets. Washington Tillerson plays down prospects of a break- details of Ololo’s responsibilities when months’ salary. He has also been criti- Qatar, giving it 10 days to comply. Among the approves the $1.1-billion contract in early through in the crisis. On November 15, contacted by AFP yesterday, but said: cized for spending millions of naira to demands are shutting down Al Jazeera, curb- November. On August 4, Brazilian footballer Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “There is nothing unusual about the put up a Christmas tree reputed to be ing relations with Iran and closing a Turkish Neymar arrives in Paris to join his new club pledges his country’s continued military sup- appointment”. “The governor is a man one of the biggest in the world. — AFP military base in the emirate. On July 4, as the Paris Saint-Germain owned by Qatar, which port for Qatar during a visit to Doha. — AFP

8 Established 1961 International Wednesday, December 6, 2017 May scrambles to win over Northern Irish kingmakers UK and EU scrambling to thrash out a Brexit deal

LONDON: Britain said it was a confident of a deal on Brexit izens in the EU; and how to avoid a hard border with Ireland. just hours after a tentative agreement with the European Sterling fell by a cent against the dollar on Monday after Union over the Irish border was dashed by Prime Minister hopes of a deal were disappointed and was a further 0.5 per- Theresa May’s kingmakers in Belfast. After a tumultuous day cent lower at $1.3414 yesterday. which saw a choreographed attempt to showcase the progress of Brexit talks thwarted at the last minute, May will Ireland try to gauge what her supporters in Northern Ireland’s All sides say they want to avoid a return to a hard border Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) might accept. May, who is between EU member Ireland and the British province of now scrambling to thrash out a deal with the EU while keep- Northern Ireland, which might upset the peace established ing the DUP, which props up her minority government, and after decades of violence. But they have found it difficult to her own party onside, may return to Brussels as early as find a way to satisfy both the Irish government and DUP law- Wednesday to continue makers who say Northern talks, a Downing Street Ireland must quit the EU on official said. the same terms as the rest “We’re very confident of the UK. That includes that we will be able to Britain confident leaving the single market move this forward,” finance and customs union, which minister Philip Hammond as British is May’s official policy but said as he arrived for a complicates the border meeting with EU counter- officials, issue. parts in Brussels. A tentative deal on the “Discussions are going on DUP hold talks border, promising “regula- right now and will go on tory alignment” on both throughout the day,” sides of the island of Hammond said. A European Ireland, was agreed on Commission spokesman Monday when May sat said it was ready to resume Brexit negotiations as soon as down to lunch with European Commission President Jean- London signals it is ready. Brexit minister David Davis will Claude Juncker but later rejected by the DUP. The DUP says respond in parliament to an urgent question on the negotia- it cannot allow any divergence in regulation between tions from the opposition Labor party at 1230 GMT. Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. LONDON: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds (center) speaks to journalists out- May wants the EU to open the so-called second phase of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who has been side the Houses of Parliament in central London, as demonstrators wave a Union (left) and European Brexit negotiations, about the trading relationship after the tipped as a potential future leader of May’s party, said that Union (EU) flags behind. —AFP United Kingdom’s withdrawal at 2300 GMT on March 29, one way to solve the riddle would be for the whole country 2019. But the EU will only move to trade talks if there is to remain in the single market and customs union. minister should conclude this must be on a UK-wide basis,” the DUP was still far away from agreeing to May’s Brexit enough progress on three key issues: the money Britain must “If regulatory alignment in a number of specific areas is Davidson said. Her comments were retweeted by DUP plans, which were criticized by supporters and opponents pay to the EU; rights for EU citizens in Britain and British cit- the requirement for a frictionless border then the prime leader Arlene Foster. The Daily Telegraph newspaper said of Brexit alike.—Reuters

News in brief Spain drops arrest Southern California fire warrant for sacked SANTA PAULA: Ferocious winds in Southern California whipped up an explosive wildfire that prompted evacua- tion orders for nearly 8,000 homes, authorities said. The Catalonian leader blaze broke out Monday and grew wildly to more than 48 square miles in the hours that followed, consuming vege- MADRID: Spain has withdrawn a European arrest warrant tation that hasn’t burned in decades, Ventura County Fire for Catalonia’s sacked leader Carles Puigdemont and four Sgt Eric Buschow said. At least 150 structures have of his deputies, who fled to Belgium after the regional par- burned so far, fire officials said. There was no immediate liament declared unilateral independence, the Supreme word whether the structures were homes or businesses. Court said yesterday. In a ruling, Judge Pablo Llarena More than 27,000 people have been evacuated and one decided to withdraw the warrant as the five “appear to firefighter was injured. There was no word on the extent have shown their intention to return to Spain” to take part of the injuries. The winds were pushing it toward Santa in regional elections on December 21. Paula, a city of some 30,000 people about 60 miles But Llarena, who is in charge of the case, has retained northwest of Los Angeles. Many of the evacuated homes the Spanish arrest warrant, which means they will be were in that city. However, evacuation orders were detained upon arrival in the country, court sources said. expanded to houses in Ventura, which is 12 miles south- The judge said the European warrant would complicate west and has 106,000 residents. the overall probe into the region’s leaders. Some of them are still in Spain-either in jail or out on bail-and are facing charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds. Tillerson meets EU leaders He said Belgium could reject some of the reasons for the warrant, meaning it could agree to the extradition of BRUSSELS: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met his BARCELONA: People applaud after unveiling an electoral billboard with the image of Carles Puigdemont, and reading in Puigdemont and the four others-but with restrictions, and European counterparts in Brussels yesterday to shore up Catalan ‘Puigdemont, our president’ during the campaign opening meeting in Barcelona.— AFP only for certain offences. This in turn would stop Spain ties, with allies insisting he still plays a “key role” despite from investigating the restricted offences, thereby creating doubts over his future. Tillerson held talks over lunch with inequalities with those already held in Spain who would be avoid getting a slap from Belgian judicial authorities.” them an absolute majority of 72 seats in the 135-seat European Union foreign ministers and the bloc’s diplo- probed on the full charges, Llarena argued. It is unclear The decision also comes after the Catalan election Catalan regional parliament. matic chief Federica Mogherini, before a two-day NATO what charges would have posed a problem, but there has campaign kicked off, with Puigdemont speaking to sup- meeting set to focus on North Korea’s missile program been controversy in Spain over the offence of rebellion, porters in Catalonia on Monday night via video link. The A house divided and concerns over perceived hostility from Russia. But his which carries up to 30 years in jail and has been criticised Madrid authorities “want to raise as many difficulties as A poll published Monday by the central government’s visit comes against a difficult backdrop-a rift with as “disproportionate” by some critics in the legal world. possible so we can’t campaign on an equal footing with the Sociological Research Centre (CIS) predicted the three President Donald Trump has led to reports he could be other candidates,” he told a party rally in Barcelona. pro-independence parties would get 44.4 percent of the replaced within weeks, calling into question his authority Electioneering Madrid called the new elections after the independence vote and 66 to 67 seats this time-just short of the absolute to speak for Washington. And there are major differences The unexpected decision comes a day after declaration on October 27, while dismissing Catalonia’s majority of 68. The three parties firmly opposed to inde- between Washington and Europe on a number of key pol- Puigdemont and his four colleagues attended an extradi- government and suspending the region’s autonomy. It pendence would get 44.3 percent and gain 59 to 60 seats, icy areas, notably the Iran nuclear deal which Trump has tion hearing in Brussels, with the Belgian judge due to give hopes the polls will restore normality to the region. Twelve the poll suggested. While the separatists are united against vehemently condemned but which Brussels is desperate a decision on December 14. Jaume Alonso Cuevillas, one of of the 13 members of the sacked Catalan government are what they say is “repression” from Madrid, they are divid- to preserve. President Donald Trump’s possible decision Puigdemont’s lawyers, told Catalonia’s TV3 channel he was standing in the election, with Puigdemont and his deputy ed over the future of their region, which itself is deeply to recognize the contested holy city of Jerusalem as the pleasantly surprised. “This means yesterday’s hearing went Oriol Junqueras-who is still in jail-competing to head the split over independence. Puigdemont’s PDeCAT party and Israeli capital could also prove to be thorny, after the EU much better than we thought,” he said. “It pushed Spain’s separatist camp. In the last regional election in 2015, sepa- Junqueras’ ERC ran on a joint list two years ago but are warned the move could provoke “serious repercussions”. judicial authorities to withdraw the European warrant to ratist parties captured 47.8 percent of the vote, giving running separately this time around.—AFP ‘Peace Diamond’ auctioned “The economic and constitutional NEW YORK: Sierra Leone sold one of the world’s largest Northern integrity of the United Kingdom must not uncut diamonds for $6.5 million at a New York auction on be compromised in any way,” she said, just Monday to raise funds for development projects in the as British and EU negotiators in Brussels West African country. The egg-sized gem-known as the Ireland’s DUP: appeared to be on the cusp of a deal. The “Peace Diamond”-was bought by British luxury jeweler DUP campaigned in favor of Brexit and Laurence Graff, said Martin Rapaport, chairman of has supported the government in a series Rapaport Group, a network of diamond companies that Brexit’s new of crucial votes, but is also faced with managed the auction. “One hundred percent of the value public concern in Northern Ireland about of this diamond, of the auction sale of this diamond, is gatekeeper the prospect of a reimposition of a hard going to go to the government and the people of Sierra border with the Republic of Ireland. The Leone. Never before has this happened,” Rapaport told self-styled “Christian fundamentalist” par- reporters. The gem was unearthed in March in Sierra LONDON: Northern Ireland’s Democratic ty has softened its fiery anti-Catholicism Leone’s eastern Kono region by a Christian pastor who Unionist Party, which is being widely and other harsh stances since it was gave it to the government to handle the sale. It was the blamed for holding up a Brexit deal, is a founded by Protestant evangelical minister government’s second attempt to sell the diamond after it party with incendiary views and a virulent Ian Paisley in 1971. rejected the highest bid of $7.8 million at an initial auction past whose negotiating tactics were forged But the party that in 1977 launched the in the capital Freetown in May. Ahead of Monday’s auc- in a war. The DUP’s 10 MPs have propped “Save Ulster (Northern Ireland) from tion the diamond was shown to some 70 potential buyers up Prime Minister Theresa May’s govern- Sodomy” campaign still holds tight to what and received seven bids, Rapaport said. ment ever since an election in June in critics call its puritanical views, particularly which her Conservatives lost their majority on social issues such as abortion. Its influ- and were forced to turn to the fellow right- ence has prompted warnings that a dis- Nigeria fuel shortages wing party for help. rupted balance of power in Belfast could The agreement came at the price of a harm a delicate peace struck after decades ABUJA: Nigeria’s state oil company assured motorists promise of £1.0 billion (1.1 billion euros, of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland BELFAST: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster (center) gives a statement yesterday there was no shortage of petrol and urged them $1.3 billion) in extra funding for Northern known as the Troubles. Irish republicans to the press at Stormont Castle in Belfast. —AFP not to engage in panic buying after long queues built up at Ireland and the party has done little to risk Sinn Fein have blamed the power deal for filling stations. Lengthy fuel queues were reported by undermining the government until now. the failure to restart a power-sharing exec- ists during the Troubles. Jon Tonge, a to many political commentators in 2005 motorists yesterday across Nigeria, including in the com- But the importance of guaranteeing the utive with the DUP in Northern Ireland. professor at Liverpool University who when the party agreed to enter a power- mercial capital Lagos, in the southwest, the northwestern Irish border issue before talks can begin That arrangement collapsed in has written extensively about the DUP, sharing arrangement with Sinn Fein, once city of Kaduna and the capital, Abuja, in the centre of the on future trade ties has now put a party January because of a row over the DUP has said that while the party has become the political mouthpiece of the Irish country. The state oil company, the Nigerian National known for its harsh rhetoric and steely leader Arlene Foster’s handling of a less dogmatic, it certainly cannot be Republican Army, which fought an armed Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said rumors that pump determination in the driving seat of Brexit. botched renewable heating funding described as pluralist. campaign for Irish unity. prices would increase in the run-up to Christmas had con- DUP leader Arlene Foster on Monday scheme. The government agreement also In his 2014 book “The DUP: From Although the Belfast assembly appeared tributed to the increased demand for petrol. It said the insisted that any deal could not create a sparked protests in mainland Britain over Protest To Power”, Tonge found that 54 to operate with reasonable cordiality for price rise fears were unfounded. “I wish to call on all “regulatory divergence” between over the DUP’s opposition to gay mar- percent of party supporters “would mind a much of a decade, months of talks between Nigerians to stop panic buying. We have said times with- Northern Ireland and the rest of Britain, riage and abortion, as well as many sen- lot” if someone from their family married a the DUP and Sinn Fein have failed to re- out number that NNPC has sufficient products to cater for despite the fact that many laws such as ior members’ support for teaching cre- person of another religion and 58.4 per- establish a Northern Irish executive. The the needs of all consumers,” Maikantu Baru, the NNPC’s those against abortion and gay marriage ationism, and a history of links to para- cent would not want their child to go to a province’s finances are currently run by group managing director, said in an emailed statement. are already different. militaries who fought Catholic national- non-Protestant school. So it was a surprise London.—AFP Established 1961 9 International Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Myanmar forces ‘may be guilty of genocide’ against Rohingyas Hospitals fill as Rohingya refugees shiver through winter GENEVA: Myanmar’s security forces may be guilty of and extremist Buddhist vigilantes”, Alam said, calling for genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority, the United an end to what he called “xenophobic rhetoric..including Nations’ top human rights official said yesterday, adding from higher echelons of the government and the military”. that more were fleeing despite an agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh to send them home. Zeid Ra’ad Criminal investigations Al-Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said Zeid urged the Council to recommend that the UN that none of the 626,000 Rohingya who have fled violence General Assembly establish a new mechanism “to assist since August should be repatriated to Myanmar unless individual criminal investigations of those responsible”. there was robust monitoring on the ground. Prosecutions for the violence and rapes against Rohingya Myanmar’s ambassador Htin Lynn said that his govern- by security forces or by civilians “appear extremely rare”, ment was working with Zeid said. Marzuki Bangladesh to ensure Darusman, head of an returns of the displaced in independent international about two months and fact-finding mission on “there will be no camps”. Myanmar, said by video Zeid, who has described from Malaysia: “We will the campaign in the past as Survivors testify go where the evidence a “textbook case of ethnic leads us...Our focus is on cleansing”, was addressing ‘acts of extreme’ facts and circumstances of a special session of the UN allegations in Myanmar as Human Rights Council brutality, attacks a whole since 2011.” His called by Bangladesh, team has interviewed which is struggling to Rohingya refugees, accommodate Rohingya including children in the who have fled. Bangladeshi port city of He described “concordant reports of acts of appalling Cox’s Bazar, who recounted “acts of extreme brutality” barbarity committed against the Rohingya, including and “displayed signs of severe trauma”. deliberately burning people to death inside their homes, murders of children and adults; indiscriminate shooting of Refugees shiver fleeing civilians; widespread rapes of women and girls, and Meanwhile, Bangladesh doctors warned yesterday of a the burning and destruction of houses, schools, markets sharp escalation in Rohingya children suffering from pneu- and mosques.” “Can anyone - can anyone - rule out that monia as hundreds of thousands of refugees shiver elements of genocide may be present?” he told the 47- through winter in overcrowded camps with little protec- member state forum. tion from the cold. A sudden cold snap in southeastern The United Nations defines genocide as acts intended Bangladesh has caught refugees off guard in the makeshift COX’S BAZAR: This combination of pictures shows Rohingya children holding objects they use as toys to play to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group in Rohingya camps along the border with Myanmar, with aid with in refugee camps in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar. —AFP whole or in part. A UN convention requires all countries to workers rushing to distribute blankets to families strug- act to halt genocide and to punish those responsible. gling for warmth in their open-sided shanties. duty doctor at a local hospital in Teknaf town said. The ularly children-living in tarpaulin tents on the bare ground, Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh’s junior foreign affairs minister, Medics running hospitals and clinics in Cox’s Bazar dis- hospital was so overcrowded that those awaiting treat- aid workers say. Zafrullah Chowdhury, head of a told the session in Geneva that his country was hosting trict-where more than 620,000 Rohingya have arrived in ment were sleeping on the floors of the wards, Mahmud Bangladeshi medical charity, said the cold threatened to nearly one million “Myanmar nationals” following summary the past three months-are reporting huge spikes in ill- added. Children were especially vulnerable to the cold, he worsen the health of children whose immune systems are executions and rapes “as a weapon of persecution”. equipped refugees falling sick from exposure to the ele- said, because they did not have proper clothing to ward depressed. More than half of those to flee violence in Mainly Buddhist Myanmar denies the Muslim Rohingya ments. “The number of patients with cold-related illnesses off the chilly nights. Overnight temperatures in Cox’s Bazar Myanmar for Bangladesh since August are children, and are its citizens and considers them foreigners. These has increased at least five-fold in the last week. Most are had fallen to around 14 degrees (56 Fahrenheit), far from many arrived malnourished or suffering from bronchitis or crimes had been “perpetrated by Myanmar security forces children suffering with pneumonia,” Zakaria Mahmud, a freezing but cold enough to test limits for refugees-partic- diarrhoea.—Agencies

Astrologers hold News in brief sway over Nepal’s Iraq child marriage bill NEW YORK: A proposed law that could allow marriage for children as young as 9 years old in Iraq would rob boys political leaders and girls already scarred by war of their childhoods, top UN officials said yesterday. The bill, which would allow KATHMANDU: Nepal’s prime minister is confident his religious leaders to govern marriage contracts and wed party will win a general election being held this month- children, has prompted public demonstrations by women’s because his astrologer told him. In deeply superstitious rights groups and activists in Iraq. “The boys and girls of Nepal, astrologers hold enormous sway in political circles Iraq, already victims of grave violations resulting from and the seers have been busy ahead of a general election years of conflict, are now at risk of being deprived of their that could herald change after more than two decades of childhood,” Virginia Gamba, UN children and armed con- turbulence in the Himalayan nation. Leaders regularly flict envoy, said in a statement. “The government of Iraq consult the stars for guidance on a range of matters from must take all necessary actions to protect every child by the most auspicious moment to hold elections to the chal- preventing the adoption of policies that can harm children lenge posed by a rival, anything that might give them an already exposed to armed conflict,” she said. About one in edge in this hotly-contested poll. five girls is married before turning 18 in Iraq, where the legal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has been in regular age for marriage is 18 but girls can wed at 15 with parental consent, according to the United Nations’ children’s agency contact with his fortune teller ahead of the historic vote, DUWAKOT, Nepal: A Nepali astrologer waits for customers in the Pashipatinath area in (UNICEF) and global charity Girls Not Brides. the final step of a drawn-out peace process which began Kathmandu. —AFP in 2006 with the close end of bloody civil war. Deuba was told he would be prime minister seven times-he is current- transition from monarchy to democracy. In the last 27 be on their side for every step that they make in their Biggest cocaine busts ly on his fourth term-and boldly claimed his party would years, Nepal has had 26 prime ministers, suffered a brutal career,” said Raghu Karki, a member of the NC’s student win in response to taunts from opposition leader KP Oli. Maoist insurgency and ousted an unpopular monarchy. wing. “Even the Marxist politicians believe in astrology.” MADRID: Spanish authorities have netted nearly six tons But Deuba’s Nepali Congress faces a tough challenge in There was also a devastating earthquake in 2015. Other politicians contacted by AFP were reluctant to dis- the polls from Oli’s Communist CNP-UML party, which of high-grade cocaine worth 210 million euros ($249 mil- cuss their luck however. “All kinds of people visit fortune lion), in one of the biggest seizures of the drug ever made has formed an alliance with the main Maoist party that will Political idol tellers. Common as well as high profile people visit and be tough to beat. Deuba’s astrologer, Angiras Neupane, in Europe, the interior ministry said yesterday. Police and It is not only in Nepal where politicians are gripped by take my advice. But they don’t want to disclose they’ve customs officials found 5.88 tons of cocaine on November said that according to Deuba’s birth chart-calculated on seers. In Sri Lanka, former president Mahinda Rajapakse visited an astrologer for fear of being thought of as weak,” the date, time and location of his birth-he would serve at 28 in a container supposedly transporting bananas which lavished his astrologer with a house, limousine and chauf- said fortune teller Ojraj Lohani, who used to advise Deuba. arrived in the southern port of Algeciras from Medellin in least one more term in top office. feur-until he counseled the strongman to hold the snap Lohani also said Deuba’s astrological chart indicated he But he told AFP that it wouldn’t necessarily be the next Colombia, it said. Police arrested a Spaniard who headed election that ended his decade-long hold on power. would be prime minister once more. the import department of the company using the container, one. He predicted that Oli would in fact be the next prime Nepal’s Deuba has a reputation for being particularly The answers to Nepal’s political future could also lie minister but that his coalition would quickly crumble, and two alleged accomplices, a Honduran and a Portuguese superstitious-even delaying his move into the prime minis- with a stone idol in remote Dolakha district, 135 kilometers national. Two other people are under investigation. The allowing Deuba to retake the reins. “There will be instabil- ter’s house at the start of his latest term in June on the east of Kathmandu. A statue of the Hindu god Lord Shiva ity in the country yet again,” Neupane said at his home in seizure is “one of Europe’s biggest” and the second largest advice of his seer. But politicians from all sides consult the at the small Bhimeshwor Temple is said to sweat when of cocaine ever carried out by Spanish authorities, the a village on the edge of Kathmandu. That is hardly wel- stars. “It is not mandatory for politicians to visit fortune political change is imminent-and it began to perspire in come news in Nepal, which has endured a tumultuous statement said. The country’s biggest was a haul of 7.6 tellers, but every politician does because they want luck to late September. —AFP tons, made on the high seas in 1999.

points to North Korea in the world. He met Pyongyang ramped up already high US teen hangs herself UN envoy in with a Chinese vice foreign minister while tensions on the Korean Peninsula five days there. China, which is Pyongyang’s sole ago when it announced it had successfully LOS ANGELES: A 13-year-old girl who was the target of major diplomatic and military ally, has test-fired a new ICBM, which it says brings taunts and insults for years at her California school has North Korea called on the United States to freeze mili- the whole of the continental United States died after she hanged herself, leaving a message describ- tary drills and North Korea to halt within range. Analysts say it is unclear ing herself as “ugly” and a “loser”. Rosalie Avila hanged weapons tests to calm tensions. In the whether the missile survived re-entry into herself in her room on November 28 and was rushed to as nuclear North, Feltman will discuss “issues of the earth’s atmosphere or could success- hospital, where she was declared brain dead a day later. mutual interest and concern” with officials, fully deliver a warhead to its target-key The teen was kept on life support until Monday so her tensions soar UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, technological hurdles for Pyongyang. organs could be donated, local media reported. “My adding he was unable to say whether the A Cathay Pacific crew flying from San daughter is a victim of bullying,” Rosalie’s mother envoy will meet the reclusive state’s leader Francisco to Hong Kong said they spotted Charlene Avila wrote on the GoFundMe crowdfunding BEIJING: A senior United Nations official Kim Jong-Un. “The first step-that North what they believed was the missile, with site, in which she sought money for funeral and medical arrived in North Korea yesterday for a rare Korea agreed to have (Feltman) visit-is a one airline official saying the crew PYONGYANG: Jeffrey Feltman, expenses. “She was a beautiful person inside and out. She visit aimed at defusing soaring tensions over positive sign,” Wang Dong, an international described seeing it “blow up and fall the UN’s Under Secretary General was a great artist, very lovable (and) loving.” Avila, who Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program. studies professor at Peking University said. apart”. In recent years, Pyongyang has for Political Affairs, arrives at the was a student at a public middle school in the town of Jeffrey Feltman’s visit-the first by a UN “If the diplomatic effort is successful, then accelerated its drive to bring together Pyongyang International Airport Calimesa some 114 kilometers east of Los Angeles-left a diplomat of his rank since 2010 - comes less they will certainly be able to exercise some nuclear and missile technology capable of yesterday. —AFP farewell note for her parents. than a week after North Korea said it test- persuasion.” threatening the US, which it accuses of fired a new ballistic missile capable of hostility. US President Donald Trump has artillery units, Yonhap news agency said, reaching the United States. Feltman shook Missile progress engaged in months of tit-for-tat rhetoric citing unnamed Seoul sources. Georgia ex-leader arrested hands with a North Korean foreign ministry It will be Feltman’s first visit to North with Kim, pejoratively dubbing him “Little Over the weekend Trump’s National official after flying into Pyongyang from Korea since he took office five years ago. Rocket Man” and a “sick puppy”. Security Adviser HR McMaster told a KIEV: Ukrainian security services yesterday arrested for- Beijing on the North’s Air Koryo. “After declaring that the country has security forum that the potential for war mer Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili after he His trip comes a day after the United achieved full nuclear statehood, the North is ‘Moth flying into fire’ with the North “is increasing every day”. climbed onto the roof of his apartment building and States and South Korea launched their likely to reaffirm to the UN envoy its prom- In a new editorial yesterday, North But some Trump advisers say US military addressed supporters during a police raid. Saakashvili, who biggest-ever joint air exercise-maneuvers ise that... it will use its nuclear weapons only Korean state media blasted the joint US- options are limited when Pyongyang was also a regional governor in Ukraine, dramatically fell slammed by Pyongyang as an “all-out for defense purposes,” Koh Yu-Hwan, a South Korean drills as going “beyond the could launch an artillery barrage on the out with the country’s President Poroshenko over accusa- provocation”. The five-day Vigilant Ace professor at Dongguk University in Seoul danger line” adding the two allies were like South Korean capital-only around 50 tions that Kiev was failing to make good on the fight drill involves 230 aircraft, including F-22 said. The UN Security Council has hit the “a group of tiger moths flying into fire only kilometers from the heavily-fortified bor- against corruption and was stripped of his Ukranian pass- Raptor stealth jet fighters, and tens of isolated and impoverished North with a to perish in it”. As well as featuring the lat- der and home to 10 million people. port. In September, he defied the Ukrainian authorities and thousands of troops, Seoul’s air force said. package of sanctions over its increasingly est generation of stealth fighters, this year’s China’s foreign ministry yesterday said it forced his way back into the conflict-riven country. Feltman, the UN’s under secretary general powerful missile and nuclear tests, which war games involve simulated precision “welcomes the UN to play a constructive “Poroshenko is a thief, Poroshenko is a traitor to the people for political affairs, arrived in China on have rattled Washington and its regional attacks on the North’s military installations, role in properly settling the Korean of Ukraine,” Saakashvili said from the roof, a video broad- Monday as Beijing is one of the few transit allies South Korea and Japan. including its missile launch sites and peninsula nuclear issue”.—AFP cast on Ukrainian television showed. 10 Established 1961

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Analysis

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Buy sterling on a ‘Brexit breakthrough’? Not yet Sterling investors remain hesitant about chasing the rallying pound higher even as the British government said it was close to an agreement with the European Union on how to move Brexit talks onto trade next year. British hopes of securing a deal with the European Union were dashed on Monday by Prime Minister Theresa May’s kingmakers in Belfast. The government is holding fresh talks and said on Tuesday it remained confident of reaching an agreement. After spending most of 2017 on the back foot against a broadly weak dollar, market expectations on sterling have shifted considerably in recent weeks towards betting on a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations with the British curren- cy rising to more than a two-month high last Friday. High- frequency indicators of market positioning and options Mueller edges toward White House market hedging have also shifted markedly to show green shoots of optimism emerging. Speculative bets on sterling, shown in data compiled by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s indictment of President lying to the FBI about his Kremlin contacts. Then on Friday Pinning down potential witnesses the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and often Donald Trump’s former advisor Michael Flynn has ratcheted Mueller revealed Flynn’s plea deal, on charges he lied to As for Manafort and Gates, by going after them on signifi- seen as a proxy for hedge fund positioning, outweighed up tensions in Washington, with the White House girding for investigators about discussions he had with Moscow’s cant crimes only obliquely related to the focus of his probe - those betting on a fall in sterling for the first time since the possible obstruction charges against Trump himself. Flynn, ambassador Sergey Kislyak in Dec 2016. including laundering some $75 million - Mueller has in effect Bank of England raised interest rates in early November. the president’s former national security advisor, was the pinned them down for possible future use as witnesses. Both Prior to that brief pre rate rise flurry, there had not been a most senior of the four people charged so far in Mueller’s Attacking from the edges were in position to know whether the campaign was actively net long position in sterling since Oct 2015. What’s more the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded Each case shows Mueller attacking around the edges, communicating with Russians when the election meddling cost of one-month options to buy sterling in the derivatives with Moscow to swing last year’s presidential election, and probing vulnerabilities, deliberately stirring fear in potential took place. Manafort took part in a suspect June 2016 meet- market exceed that of options to sell it for the first time whether Trump tried to block the probe by firing FBI direc- targets, and meanwhile recruiting witnesses. Papadopoulos ing with a Russian lawyer who had offered the campaign dirt since October 2017. tor James Comey. was a minor Trump campaign figure. But documents in his on Clinton. The Flynn case seems to show Mueller headed in But despite sterling’s bounce in recent days, investors By allowing Flynn, a former defense intelligence chief and another direction. The Russian contacts he lied about came remain wary about the currency’s outlook pointing to the a campaign insider, to plead guilty to a simple charge of after Trump’s election victory. But analysts say Flynn helps long complicated negotiations before Brexit becomes a lying to investigators, Mueller signalled that he expects to Mueller build his cases on three fronts. First, Flynn would reality in 2019 and the underlying weakness of the British go higher up the ladder of political power in his investiga- have had to promise Mueller something substantial against economy. “There is still a lot of work to be done before we tion. But Mueller’s endgame - who precisely is in his sights Prosecutor other, more senior targets of the investigation, to earn his plea get any clarity and to take big positions in this headline-dri- and for what - remains unclear. The tall, gangly 73-year-old deal, which amounts to a hand-slap. ven market is fraught with dangers,” said James Binny, head former FBI director, who almost never appears in public, is playing his Second, as a book-end to Papadopoulos, Flynn confirms of currencies at US financial group State Street Global playing his cards tight to the chest, dropping hints in court the campaign had standing contacts with Russians. Again, no Advisors in London. filings rich enough to stir fears high into the White House, cards tight one specifically is named. Court filings by the Mueller team So despite a cautious return in long sterling bets in the but too scant to discern his next moves. “With Flynn’s plea reference Flynn’s communications with a “senior” and then a currency markets, the duration of those positions have deal, Mueller has nowhere to go but up the chain,” Asha to the chest “very senior” campaign official about his discussions with become shorter, indicating how nervous markets are. So Rangappa, a former FBI agent now lecturing at Yale Kislyak. They make clear that Flynn was operating at the far, these net sterling long bets are only a week old, com- University, told Politico. direction of the campaign. Media reports have said that pared to in October which remained for a month. The Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is one of those referenced longest duration of long sterling bets was for a year Hard-nosed investigators anonymously. between Sept 2013 to late 2014, according to CFTC data. Mueller’s team of hard-nosed investigators are particular- plea deal reveal that he built up contacts with Russians in Third, Trump’s handling of Flynn, who was fired from the At the heart of this nervousness is a view that any Brexit ly skilled in tracking money through international financial London with the knowledge and support of his campaign White House in February, could conceivably bolster a case for outcome, either “soft” or “hard”, will weigh on the econo- thickets, “flipping” witnesses against their bosses, and deal- supervisors. obstruction of justice against the president or others. That is, my at a time when other major world economies such as ing with counter-intelligence probes. Those skills have driven Mueller described what Papadopoulos told campaign at least, the message the White House took, since Mueller Europe and the US are firing on all cylinders. the indictments so far. On October 30 Mueller unveiled officials in emails about his Russian contacts, but did not remains steadfastly quiet. Trump lawyer John Dowd felt it “The key issue for sterling is that from an economic charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul reveal the names of whom the emails went to, and little necessary to tell the political news website Axios that the standpoint it looks tough and any bounce after a Brexit Manafort and his deputy Richard Gates, for conspiracy, mon- about their replies. Court filings described them as “high president cannot be guilty of obstruction of justice “because talks breakthrough will be a buy-the-rumor and sell-the- ey-laundering and related financial crimes tied to their work ranking” campaign officials. Two things are clear from the he is the chief law enforcement officer under (the fact trade,” said Richard Benson, co-head of portfolio with pro-Moscow Ukrainian politician Viktor Yanukovych. Papadopoulos case: His contacts help establish a pattern of Constitution) and has every right to express his view of any investments at Millennium Global Investments Ltd in On the same day, separately, a Trump campaign foreign engagement with the Russians by the campaign, and Mueller case”. “There’s been absolutely no collusion,” Trump mean- London. Annual growth forecasts will average 2.4 percent policy advisor, George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty to knows who in the campaign were directing them. while said. —AFP this year and 2.2 percent next year across the 19-member eurozone currency bloc compared with UK growth of 1.5 percent in 2017 and 1.2 percent in 2018, according to OECD forecasts. average delay per lock has nearly doubled on the water- Inc and Archer Daniels Midland Co, typically fill barges Transition Deal Wooden dams ways since the beginning of the century, rising to 121 min- with corn and soybeans en route to the Gulf of Mexico. To be sure, a breakthrough in the talks would lift the fog utes in 2014 from 64 minutes in 2000, the group said. An But the backup meant they were unable to ship out sup- of uncertainty hanging over British companies, encourag- October National Waterways Foundation study said a plies - overwhelming their storage, too. ing them to invest more and ultimately lift economic activi- and river jams: major lock failure in the Midwest could cost shippers $1.5 ty in itself. Despite the breakdown in talks at the last billion per year in added costs and overwhelm existing rail ‘Hidden Cost’ minute on Monday the border issue with Ireland, foreign US strains to ship and road capacity. Every barge can hold as much grain as Along the river in Shawneetown, Illinois, Bunge piled soy- exchange derivative markets are betting on a break- 16 rail cars or 70 trucks. beans outside on the ground, putting them at risk of damage through. Three-month ‘risk reversals’ on sterling, which from rain or animals, because the elevator’s bins were full due shows the relative pricing of puts and calls on the pound, record grains Swollen Stocks to the backlog, local farmers said. An employee of Bunge’s have flipped to a bias of more sterling strength in the last The delays here and elsewhere are boosting prices for elevator said it took this step because of “market conditions”. week, though they remain below a 2017 high hit in early America’s worst traffic jam this fall occurred on the Ohio key goods including soybeans, and eating away at the Randy Anderson, a farmer from Galatia, Illinois, said he was September. River, where a line of about 50 miles of boats hauling nation’s competitive edge against rival exporters like told to hold back pre-arranged deliveries of crops to the Kallum Pickering, senior UK economist at Berenberg in grains and other products turned into a waterborne park- Brazil. US soybean export prices normally drop in the Bunge elevator. Instead, he was forced to take time away London expects a transition deal to materialize by late ing lot, as ship captains waited for the river to reopen. autumn, as newly harvested supplies flood the market. But from harvesting to load the crops into his own storage bins. 2018 an outcome that would boost economic growth to 1.8 Such delays are worsening on the nation’s waterways, the delays caused prices to rise, making it harder for the “That could have been time I could have been in the field,” he percent. It would also lead to a significant revaluation on which are critical to commerce for the United States, the United States, the second-largest soybean exporter, to said. “That’s a hidden cost.” sterling which according to SSGA’s Binny is trading about largest grain exporter in the world. Of the country’s $40 compete with Brazil, which ranks first. The effect was also felt by shipping companies, which 15 percent cheaper against the dollar on a valuation basis. billion in annual grain and soybean exports, about 60 per- In mid-August, the price of soybeans loaded for export make more money the more trips their barges make. Barge On a trade-weighted basis, sterling is trading at a six- cent is moved by barges on rivers, including the Ohio. at US Gulf Coast terminals was about $14 per metric ton operator Campbell Transportation Company of Pittsburgh month high and just one percent below a 2017 peak. The shutdown, caused by worn or missing sections of below the cost of soybeans loaded at Brazil’s Paranagua estimated a loss of $1 million in revenue in September and a dam, snarled traffic from early September into early port, according to industry data. By mid-November, the October because of the delays. “This was the difference Walking a Fine Line November through Locks & Dam No. 52 near Paducah, US advantage had been cut to less than $4 per ton. between a small profit and a big loss,” said Peter Stephaich, But even assuming a successful negotiation of the com- Kentucky. It was the second shutdown in two months at Brazil’s soybeans have a higher protein content, and Campbell chief executive. plex series of Brexit talks, sterling still has considerable No. 52, which is among the country’s busiest locks with therefore attract a premium. Top soy importer China is Replacing Locks and Dam No. 52 and nearby No. 53 on headwinds against its two major rivals, namely the dollar about $22 billion a year of commodities flowing through expected to buy twice as many soybeans from Brazil in the Ohio River has been on the US Army Corps of and the euro. Some market participants expect the US may it. The lock, which has been earmarked for replacement the fourth quarter as it did last year, much of it at the Engineers’ to-do list for about thirty years, even as its back- end up raising interest rates by as much as four times over by the Army Corps of Engineers for three decades, is expense of US shipments. the next 12 months after a landmark tax code overhaul over one of many chokepoints along 25,000 miles of water- log of other projects has grown. Known as the Olmsted the weekend. John Taylor, senior fixed income portfolio ways used to transport everything from grains to con- Export markets are key for farmers and grain proces- Locks and Dam, the replacement is set to finally be com- manager at Alliance Bernstein in London said the UK will sumer goods to coal. sors due to rising crop yields. In the past two decades, US pleted next year. Its cost has risen to about $3 billion from have to raise rates by two times “at least to hang on to the It is a system increasingly under strain. Surging corn output has outpaced domestic use by 20 percent, and an original estimate of $775 million. coat tails of the Fed.” shipments of soybeans and corn - due to record har- soybeans by more than 70 percent. “Being near the river In the meantime, the short-term work to fix the dam “The Bank of England can’t afford to not tighten at all vests - are overwhelming parts of the antiquated net- used to be an advantage, but now having to wait on dams continues. Divers working in pitch-black water needed a as that would weaken the currency a lot and if they hike and infrastructure is more of a liability to farmers,” said week to repair the largest hole in the 90-year old dam, one more they may end up tipping the economy into recession work and causing more frequent and severe backups, according to interviews with farmers, shippers, grains Marc Bremer, a farmer in Metropolis, Illinois. of the last on the river made of wooden slats. Repairs to well before Brexit kicks in,” Taylor said who is underweight Bremer sells most of his corn and soybeans to facilities three other worn and corroded sections may be completed duration on UK debt. Bond markets in the UK only expect merchants and barge operators. Reverberations have cut across the US agricultural supply chain - and inter- known as elevators, which receive and store grain and this month. For the seven-man crew of the Oliver C one rate hike over the next twelve months. Against Europe, load barges on the Ohio River. This autumn, he lost up to Shearer, one of 70 towboats hauling hundreds of barges it is more of a differential growth story with growth in the national markets. This fall, delays in moving crops $30,000 in revenue when prices tumbled because disrup- carrying goods, the delay at Locks & Dam No. 52 meant currency bloc expected to pick up steam relative to the downriver bumped up grain prices at export terminals tions caused crop stockpiles to swell at these facilities. He UK. “Sterling movements have become kneejerk and along the Gulf Coast, opening up an advantage for killing time. But there was only so much paperwork, Pavlovian depending on the headline of the day and institu- global competitors such as Brazil. said he may delay buying new farm equipment as a result. repairs, or waxing the checkerboard floor of the vessel tional investors are now focusing on the economic data,” Most of the country’s 239 locks have exceeded their The logjams hit local grain buyers - the elevators - who that the crew could do. “You start beating your head said Marc Ostwald, market strategist at ADM Investor half-century design lives, and nearly half the vessels that cut bids on crops to the lowest levels since the Port of against the wall,” Michael McCloud, the boat’s captain, Services. —Reuters use the nation’s inland waterways now experience delays, New Orleans was shuttered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. said in October as he looked out at idle barges on the Ohio according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Elevators, including those owned by Bunge Ltd, Cargill River from the vessel’s bridge. —Reuters Established 1961 11 News Wednesday, December 6, 2017

terday, pledging that backers of Saleh were safe despite Houthis rally after his death. Sanaa was awash with unconfirmed rumors of widespread arrests of suspected Saleh supporters in the army and the rebel government. The former strongman killing ex-strongman retained the loyalty of some of the best equipped units of SANAA: Thousands of Houthi supporters rallied in the army after he was forced to step down as president Sanaa yesterday as the rebels cemented their grip on the in 2012. Saleh, who ruled Yemen for three decades, had Yemeni capital after killing their former ally ex-president joined forces with the Houthis in 2014 when they took Ali Abdullah Saleh. Following Saleh’s death at the hands control of large parts of the country, including the capi- of Houthi fighters on Monday, fears had mounted of an tal. But that alliance unraveled over the past week as the uptick in the violence that has devastated the Arab former leader reached out to the Saudi-led coalition that world’s poorest country over the past few years. A night has waged an air campaign against the Houthis since of heavy air strikes followed in Sanaa as well as skirmish- March 2015. es between the Houthis and Saleh’s supporters in south- The Saudi-led coalition stepped up its bombardment ern districts that had been loyal to the slain strongman. of the capital overnight, carrying out at least seven But there was no repetition of the fierce fighting that strikes on the rebel-held presidential palace, witnesses had rocked the capital for the five previous nights. A said. There was no immediate word of any casualties. least 234 people have been killed and 400 wounded in Yemen’s war has left thousands dead, led to one of the those clashes, the International Committee of the Red world’s worst humanitarian crises and deepened tensions Cross said yesterday. New checkpoints manned by between Middle East rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, who rebels sprung up across Sanaa as their leaders hailed both took a firm stand on the Yemen conflict yesterday. their control of the capital, rallying supporters and Saudi Arabia called for a Yemen free of “militias sup- pledging that backers of Saleh were safe. Houthi sup- ported by Iran” in its first official statement since the porters massed in their thousands near the capital’s Saleh killing. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani mean- SANAA: Houthi rebel fighters inspect the damage after a reported air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition tar- international airport, shouting “Sanaa is free and the while warned that those attacking Yemen would regret it. geted the presidential palace in the Yemeni capital yesterday. — AFP state still stands!” and “Yemenis are one!” “The people of Yemen will make their aggressors regret Rebel chiefs struck a conciliatory tone, meanwhile, their actions,” he said in a televised speech. The com- declaring they were “ensuring the safety” of members of mander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad trapped in Sanaa. “Our ability to get to people over the Spring-inspired protests calling for his ouster. The 75- Saleh’s General People’s Congress party. Senior Houthi Ali Jafari, said Saleh was killed because he had been try- last five days has been impeded because of the air year-old had survived civil war, rebellion in the north, an official Saleh Al-Sammad had announced “the end of ing to overthrow the Houthis. strikes, because of the fighting, and our life-saving sup- Al-Qaeda insurgency in the south and a June 2011 bomb security operations and the stabilization of the situation” Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit condemned port activities were blocked,” UN humanitarian coordi- attack on his palace that wounded him badly. The on Monday, saying he had ordered the security forces to Saleh’s killing, saying that the “way it was done reveals to nator Jamie McGoldrick told reporters in Geneva by Houthis announced his death on television, and a video “take steps against the saboteurs and all those who col- everyone the criminal nature” of the Houthis. The United phone from the Yemeni capital. provided to AFP by the rebels showed what appeared to laborated with them”. Nations called for a “humanitarian pause” in the air Saleh was forced to step down in 2012, after his be a dead Saleh with a severe head injury, his body The rebels rallied their supporters in the capital yes- strikes and fighting as it seeks to deliver aid to people forces waged a bloody crackdown on peaceful Arab wrapped in a floral-print blanket. — AFP

remaining neutral in regional conflicts. to save face and win a little time,” said Karim Bitar, an ered his resignation announcement from Saudi Arabia One month on, “The Lebanese government, in all its political compo- expert at the Paris-based Institute of International and and spent the next two weeks there amid rumors that nents, has committed to distance itself from all conflicts, Strategic Affairs. Riyadh was holding him “hostage”. wars, and internal affairs of Arab states,” according to During the cabinet meeting, according to a statement He denied those claims, and after top-level French Hariri rescinds... the cabinet statement read out by Hariri. This “disasso- obtained by AFP, Hariri expressed the hope for “a new intervention returned to Beirut where he announced ciation” is intended to “preserve Lebanon’s political and chance to defend the country together”. “We see how he had “paused” his resignation to hold consultations Continued from Page 1 economic relations with its Arab brothers”, the state- the region is boiling and we must be aware that any mis- across the political spectrum. France’s foreign min- ment added. The policy had already been adopted by step could bring the country to a dangerous precipice,” istry said Friday’s meeting was intended to “support In his resignation, Hariri lambasted Tehran and its Hariri’s cabinet, formed in 2016 after a settlement across he told his cabinet. Lebanon has been buffeted by the political process (in Lebanon) at a crucial Lebanese ally, the powerful armed movement Hezbollah, political divides that saw Michel Aoun appointed presi- regional instability in recent years, particularly by the moment”. “It will send a message both to the various for destabilizing his country and the Middle East. He lat- dent and the creation of a government including war in neighboring Syria which has sent more than one parties in Lebanon and to countries in the region,” er said he would consider coming back as premier if Hezbollah deputies. million refugees into its tiny neighbour, seeking safety. the ministry added. Hezbollah stopped intervening in regional conflicts, Hezbollah has been accused of violating the policy, The conflict in Syria has also deepened existing ten- The five permanent members of the UN Security including the wars in Syria and Yemen. In recent days, however, by fighting in neighboring Syria to support the sions, with Hariri’s bloc backing the uprising against Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and consultations across the political spectrum have sought Damascus regime as well as by dispatching military President Bashar al-Assad while Hezbollah’s fighters China - will be represented at the meeting, along with to find a compromise between the Saudi-backed camp commanders to Iraq and allegedly backing Shiite rebels battled alongside the regime’s troops. Hariri’s resigna- Germany, Italy and Egypt. French officials said the goal led by Hariri, and Hezbollah’s Iran-backed bloc. in Yemen. “A reaffirmation of Lebanese ‘disassociation’, tion raised fears that Lebanon could be plunged into was to shore up Lebanese institutions, by strengthening Yesterday, Lebanon’s cabinet, which includes both notwithstanding its manifest hypocrisy and the impossi- chaos, and provoked widespread speculation about the army and supporting Hariri’s economic program, blocs, reaffirmed its official policy of “disassociation”, or bility of it being translated concretely, makes it possible whether Riyadh had forced him to step down. He deliv- with a view to encouraging foreign investment. — AFP

tation and highly values that the six states attended, also expressed “grave and deep concern” about the Amir calls for rejecting claims that the summit was not a success. Asked Trump to move impact it would have on both the conflict and peace about the shortening of the session from two days to one, efforts, while the Palestinians said it would shatter any he said that this was “not the first time this has happened” illusion about Trump’s ability to fairly mediate in any mechanism... throughout the summit’s 38 sessions, mentioning that the US embassy... talks. “That totally destroys any chance that he will play Continued from Page 1 decision was taken unanimously by the bloc’s attending a role as an honest broker,” said Nabil Shaath, an chief delegates. Continued from Page 1 adviser to Abbas. In conclusion, the declaration also warned that media Casting further doubt on the group’s future, the UAE In Israel, however, hardline Defense Minister Avigdor representatives and intellectuals throughout the region yesterday announced a new partnership with Saudi Erdogan said in a raucous televised speech, echoing Lieberman hailed the moment as a “historic opportuni- should “bear their responsibility” in supporting efforts Arabia, separate from the GCC - a move that could under- alarm expressed by Palestinian and Arab leaders. In his ty” for Trump, expressing hope he would see the US aimed at cooperation amongst the bloc’s member states. mine the council amid the diplomatic crisis with Qatar. The address, Erdogan warned that any move to back Israel’s embassy in Jerusalem “next week or next month”. The Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim accepted an invitation to Emirati foreign ministry announcement came just hours claim to the city would mobilize “the entire Islamic US Congress has already made its aim clear in the so- attend, but just hours before the talks were due to begin, ahead of the GCC meeting in Kuwait. The ministry said the world” and even prompt Ankara to sever its recently- called Jerusalem Embassy Act, which was passed in Saudi King Salman sent his foreign minister, Adel Al- new “joint cooperation committee” was approved by the renewed diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. 1995 and which stated that the city “should be recog- Jubeir, in his stead. Bahrain sent its deputy premier and UAE’s ruler and president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al- The armed Islamist Hamas movement has threatened nized as the capital of the State of Israel” and that the Emirati media said the state minister for foreign affairs Nayhan. Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on to launch a new “intifada” or uprising. Most of the US embassy should be moved there. would represent Abu Dhabi, sparking anger online by the new partnership. international community, including the United States, But an inbuilt waiver, which allows the president to Kuwaitis that the nations boycotting Qatar had slighted The Emirati ministry said the new committee “is does not formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capi- temporarily postpone the move on grounds of their leader. Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said rarely attends assigned to cooperate and coordinate between the UAE tal, insisting the issue can only be resolved in final sta- “national security”, has been repeatedly invoked by Gulf-wide meetings. The meeting, scheduled to last until and Saudi Arabia in all military, political, economic, trade tus negotiations. Following talks in Brussels with US successive US presidents, meaning the law has never today, was cut to a single day. The UAE’s state minister for and cultural fields, as well as others, in the interest of the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, top EU diplomat taken effect. Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern foreign affairs Anwar Gargash said on the sidelines of the two countries”. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have cultivated Federica Mogherini warned that any move which risked sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and summit that it had taken place under “sensitive circum- close ties in recent years. Emirati troops are deeply undermining efforts to jumpstart moribund peace talks later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its stances and is a positive step”. involved in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Abu Dhabi’s pow- “must absolutely be avoided”. “A way must be found “eternal and undivided capital”. But the Palestinians Speaking at a press conference after the summit, erful crown prince, Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nayhan, through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem want the eastern sector as capital of their future state Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- also is believed to be close to Saudi Arabia’s young Crown as the future capital of both states, so that the aspira- and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sov- Sabah said that the holding of the GCC summit during Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Emirati announcement tion of both parties can be fulfilled,” she said. ereignty there. Several peace plans have unraveled these delicate situations reflects the GCC leaders’ convic- did not say whether any other Gulf Arab countries would In Cairo, Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit over the issue of how to divide sovereignty or oversee tion and faith in the GCC and its continuity. Sheikh Sabah be invited to join the new group, but the development puts warned it would be viewed as an act of “clear aggres- sites in the city that are holy for Christians, Jews and Al-Khaled said that Kuwait respects the level of represen- pressure on the GCC. —Agencies sion” against the Arab and Muslim world. Saudi Arabia Muslims.— AFP

Established 1961 13 Sports Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Anderson, Root give England a sniff on day four in Adelaide England 178 runs short of victory

ADELAIDE: England were 178 runs from a stunning comeback victory in the second Ashes test after James Anderson grabbed five wickets and Joe Root steered the tourists to 176 for four at close of play on an extraordi- nary fourth day yesterday. Root, who eked out a half century under the Adelaide Oval lights, will probably need to stay out in the sun for much of the fifth day if he is to lead England to a first test win in Australia in nearly seven years. Root will resume unbeaten on 67 with Chris Woakes (five not out) keeping his skip- per company after Dawid Malan was bowled for 29 by a Pat Cummins snorter shortly before the close. “We’re delighted to be in a position to have any chance of winning the game,” said Anderson, whose 5-43 gave him his first five- wicket haul in Australia. “There’s a huge amount of work to do but we’re in with a chance, which we didn’t think we would be SCOREBOARD after the first couple of days. It would be huge for us.” ADELAIDE: England’s Joe Root ducks to avoid a delivery from Australia’s Josh Hazlewood dur- Scoreboard at stumps on the fourth day in the second Test between Australia and England yesterday in Australia skipper Steve Smith will be hop- ing the fourth day of their Ashes cricket Test match in Adelaide, yesterday. —AP Adelaide, Australia. ing his bowlers can keep up the pressure on Australia 1st innings 442 for 8 decl (S. Marsh 9-128 M. Starc, 10-138 J. Hazlewood the final day and help him avoid the ignominy 126no, T. Paine 57, U. Khawaja 53) Bowling: J. Anderson 22-7-43-5(w-1); S. Broad of becoming only the second captain to lose a Stoneman (36) in the last half an hour of the Root, cheered on by the vocal Barmy Army England 1st innings 227 (N. Lyon 4-60) 13-6-26-0(w-1); C. Overton 2-0-11-1; C. Woakes second session. of England fans, made the most of the test after not enforcing the follow-on. Australia 2nd innings (Overnight: 53-4) 16-3-36-4; M. Ali 5-0-20-0. It was to the third session that Australia’s reprieve and reached his fifty with a lovely “I think we’re still reasonably confident, C. Bancroft c Bairstow b Anderson 4 quicks would have been looking to make seri- back cut for four, one of nine boundaries he obviously the last two days haven’t gone to D. Warner c Root b Woakes 14 England 2nd innings (Target: 354 runs) ous inroads into the England batting, howev- peppered throughout his 114-ball knock. plan but I think we’re still in front of the U. Khawaja lbw b Anderson 20 A. Cook lbw b Lyon 16 er, and when James Vince was quickly caught Anderson had earlier picked up where he game,” said Australia bowling coach David S. Smith lbw b Woakes 6 M. Stoneman c Khawaja b Starc 36 in the slips off Mitchell Starc for 15, it looked left off in Monday’s night session, dismissing Saker. “But it’s getting closer and closer and P. Handscomb c Malan b Anderson 12 J. Vince c Handscomb b Starc 15 Joe’s batting has played a large part in that.” to be going to plan. nightwatchman Lyon, a jittery Peter N. Lyon c Broad b Anderson 14 J. Root not out 67 Anderson and Woakes (4-36) had fired England had started to enjoy the best of Handscomb and Starc. Woakes chipped in to S. Marsh b Woakes 19 D. Malan b Cummins 29 England’s resurgence when they did the lion’s the DRS system, however, with Root first see off Tim Paine and Shaun Marsh cheaply, T. Paine c C. Overton b Woakes 11 C. Woakes not out 5 share of the work of dismissing the overturning an lbw decision off the bowling making sure the latter was unable to get any- M. Starc c Ali b Anderson 20 Extras (b-3 lb-5) 8 Australians for 138 at tea with a brilliant dis- of Nathan Lyon and seeing a Smith review where near the unbeaten 126 he hit to under- P. Cummins not out 11 Total (for 4 wickets, 62 overs) 176 play of seam bowling. fail when the Australian suspected an pin Australia’s 442 for eight declared in the J. Hazlewood c Malan b C. Overton 3 Fall of wickets: 1-53 A. Cook, 2-54 M. Stoneman, inside edge. first innings. Extras (lb-2 w-2) 4 3-91 J. Vince, 4-169 D. Malan GROUND RECORD Smith left his team with no referrals for England had looked certain to go 2-0 Total (all out, 58 overs) 138 England: M. Ali, J. Bairstow, S. Broad, C. Overton, Set a ground record 354 to level the series what could be a tense final day a couple of down in the series after the inaugural Ashes Fall of wickets: 1-5 C. Bancroft, 2-39 U. Khawaja, J. Anderson after last week’s 10-wicket Brisbane defeat, balls later when he pursued an lbw decision day-nighter when they folded for 227 in reply, 3-41 D. Warner, 4-50 S. Smith, 5-71 N. Lyon, 6- Bowling: M. Starc 14-2-65-2; J. Hazlewood 14-5- England made a steady start before losing against Malan only for the tracking to show until Anderson finally found his mojo with the 75 P. Handscomb, 7-90 T. Paine, 8-122 S. Marsh, 37-0; P. Cummins 14-5-29-1; N. Lyon 20-5-37-1. openers Alastair Cook (16) and Mark the ball would have gone over the wickets. pink kookaburra. — Reuters

upgrades over a three-year period. The Players to be postponement happened soon after the India scent Test departure from CSA of chief executive and lead negotiator Haroon Lorgat, who had paid after T20 been responsible for setting up the league, victory as which was due to feature eight city-based franchise teams, including seven with for- postponement eign owners. Acting chief executive pollution makes Thabang Moroe said the negotiations with JOHANNESBURG: Players contracted to the players’ body had been “amicable” and bowlers vomit the aborted T20 Global League will be in the best interests of South African crick- compensated, Cricket South Africa et. “The settlement will help bridge the gap announced yesterday, following negotia- between player expectation and the disap- NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas tions with the South African Cricketers’ pointment of having to postpone the praised his team’s perseverence yesterday Association. Although figures were not league,” Moroe said. “This was an issue against a formidable India despite severe pol- revealed in a statement issued by CSA, it affecting 138 South African and foreign lution which made players from both sides is reliably understood that South African players and we are happy that we have vomit during the third Test in smogbound players will be paid 60 percent of their been able to resolve it for all of them,” said New Delhi. Fast bowlers Suranga Lakmal and contract amounts, while foreign players Tony Irish, chief executive of SACA. “The Mohammed Shami threw up as pollution lev- will get 50 percent. The total compensa- settlement is both fair and responsible and els soared at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, tion bill is expected to cost CSA about has been well received by the players.” and Sri Lankan fielders again turned to face US$5 million. The differential between the payments masks to combat the foul air. Sri Lanka were Payment will be made in three instal- to local and foreign players is understood reeling on 31-3 at stumps, chasing a daunting NEW DELHI: Indian batsman Rohit Sharma plays a shot during the fourth day of third Test ments between December 2017 and April to be because local players are committed 410-run victory target. cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Stadium in New 2018. In what was a costly embarrassment to playing for their franchises in a domestic Dhanajaya de Silva on 13 and Angelo Delhi yesterday. — AFP for the South African controlling body, the T20 league currently being played, while Mathews were batting when bad light league was cancelled in October, just over foreign players had the opportunity to find stopped play on the fourth day. Pothas told three weeks before it was due to start, to alternative employment. reporters his men played “brilliantly” despite SCOREBOARD avoid heavy losses in the absence of a tele- The circumstances leading to the post- being ill from the smog, which hit levels 15 vision deal and a title sponsorship. ponement are the subject of an investiga- times the World Health Organization’s safe Scoreboard at stumps on the fourth day in the third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka yesterday in tion set up by Cricket South Africa, who CSA had already spent about 100 mil- limit. “I thought the guys did superbly well, Delhi, India. lion rand ($7.5m) in setting up the league remain committed to staging the league in great attitude. We are professionals and said, as well as committing to extensive stadium November 2018. — AFP India 1st innings 536 for 7 decl (V. Kohli 243, M. Vijay C. Pujara c Mathews b D. de Silva 49 ‘That situation is a situation, let’s get on with 155, R. Sharma 65; L. Sandakan 4-167) V. Kohli c Lakmal b Gamage 50 it’,” Pothas said. “Our people in discomfort, I Sri Lanka 1st innings (Overnight: 356-9) Ro. Sharma not out 50 think it speaks for itself. The rest we cannot Dimuth Karunaratne c Saha b Shami 0 R. Jadeja not out 4 Lankan cricket is in chaos and the control. The guys did brilliantly today,” the Dilruwan Perera lbw b Jadeja 42 Extras (b-1 lb-2 nb-3 w-1) 7 Minister stops national side has lost 21 one-day games South African added. Left-arm spinner Dhananjaya de Silva lbw b I. Sharma 1 Total (for 5 wickets declared, 52.2 overs) 246 this year and won just four. Ravindra Jadeja struck twice in an over to Angelo Mathews c Saha b R. Ashwin 111 Fall of wickets: 1-10 M. Vijay, 2-29 A. Rahane, 3-106 C. Sports Ministry sources said rattle the visitors, who must bat out three Dinesh Chandimal c S. Dhawan b I. Sharma 164 Pujara, 4-144 S. Dhawan, 5-234 V. Kohli S Lanka team Jayasekera was incensed that the players more sessions to save the match and draw the Sadeera Samarawickrama c Saha b I. Sharma 33 Did not bat: R. Ashwin, W. Saha, I. Sharma, M. Shami Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 14-3-60-1(w-1); Lahiru had been cleared to leave before he had series against top-ranked India. Roshen Silva c S. Dhawan b R. Ashwin 0 given formal approval to the team selec- Niroshan Dickwella b R. Ashwin 0 Gamage 12.2-1-48-1(nb-3); Dilruwan Perera 11-0-54-1; leaving for India Shami dismissed opener Sadeera Dhananjaya de Silva 5-0-31-1; Lakshan Sandakan 10- tion. A 1973 law gives the Sri Lankan Samarawickrama off a roaring bouncer but Suranga Lakmal c Saha b Shami 5 Lahiru Gamage lbw b Jadeja 1 0-50-1. sports minister the power to change stopped in mid-over to vomit, crouching Sri Lanka 2nd innings (Target: 410 runs) Lakshan Sandakan not out 0 COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Sports Minister national teams before they compete. down and then gulping water. He went on to Dimuth Karunaratne c Saha b Jadeja 13 Extras (b-4 lb-5 nb-2 pen-5) 16 Dayasiri Jayasekera stopped nine crick- The ministry sources said Jayasekera Sadeera Samarawickrama c Rahane b Shami 5 complete the over but left the field after Total (all out, 135.3 overs) 373 eters leaving for India yesterday to take may order at least two changes to the Dhananjaya de Silva not out 13 umpires thought it inadvisable to have a Fall of wickets: 1-0 D. Karunaratne, 2-14 D. de Silva, 3- part in a one-day series because he was squad named by the Sri Lanka Cricket Suranga Lakmal b Jadeja 0 paceman bowling in poor light. “Not ideal to 75 D. Perera, 4-256 A. Mathews, 5-317 S. unhappy with the team choice, sources (SLC) board. The nine players stopped Angelo Mathews not out 0 lose three wickets, it can be frustrating,” said Samarawickrama, 6-318 R. Silva, 7-322 N. Dickwella, 8- said. The nine players were on their way Extras 0 from leaving were led by captain Thisara Pothas. In the morning session it was Sri 331 S. Lakmal, 9-343 L. Gamage, 10-373 D. Chandimal to Colombo airport late Monday for the Perera who was only named last week. Lankan paceman Suranga Lakmal who threw Total (for 3 wickets, 16 overs) 31 Bowling: M. Shami 26-6-85-2(nb-1); I. Sharma 29.3-7- Fall of wickets: 1-14 S. Samarawickrama, 2-31 D. overnight flight when they were ordered The other eight are Upul Tharanga, up twice. He went to the dressing room 98-3; R. Jadeja 45-13-86-2(nb-1); R. Ashwin 35-8-90-3. to return, one of the team told AFP on Karunaratne, 3-31 S. Lakmal Danushka Gunathilaka, Asela Gunaratne, briefly but returned to the field, bowling 14 India 2nd innings To bat: D. Perera, D. Chandimal, R. Silva, N. Dickwella, condition of anonymity. Chathuranga de Silva, Sachith Pathirana, overs and taking one wicket. Groundsmen M. Vijay c Dickwella b Lakmal 9 L. Gamage, L. Sandakan The rest of the squad are already in Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal rushed on to cover the spot with sand and S. Dhawan st Dickwella b Sandakan 67 Bowling: I. Sharma 3-0-6-0; M. Shami 3-1-8-1; R. India taking part in a Test series. Sri and Nuwan Pradeep. — AFP sawdust as smog in the heavily polluted A. Rahane c Sandakan b D. Perera 10 Ashwin 5-2-12-0; R. Jadeja 5-2-5-2. Indian capital took centre stage for a fourth day in a row. “He (Lakmal) obviously didn’t feel very well,” Pothas said. “It’s not easy, it’s Australia after making 418 runs. Opener would never say that there is no pollution in pretty obvious...there is no more to say about Shikhar Dhawan top-scored in India’s second Delhi. Of course there is pollution, but during it. We just want to get on with the cricket.” innings with 67 on an easy-paced wicket. the winters there is a lot of smog,” Dhawan A doctor at the stadium examined three Sri Apart from Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage, Dilruwan said. “When you are playing for country, you Lankan players and said their vital signs were Perera, Lakshan Sandakan and Dhananjaya de have to do your job.” The Board of Control normal. Skipper Virat Kohli, who made 50, Silva took a wicket each. Earlier, Sri Lanka for Cricket in India said late Monday that declared India’s second innings on 246-5 were dismissed for 373, conceding a 163-run New Delhi could be dropped as a venue dur- after Rohit Sharma reached his half-century first-innings lead to India who had declared ing winter, when pollution across the region in the final session, setting the visitors a for- on 536 for seven. “I enjoyed playing that way spikes. BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary midable victory target. (scoring quick runs). We would be trying hard said venues would be reconsidered “in view to finish it tomorrow as we are in good situa- of the situation which was encountered in the HAZARDOUS SMOG tion with three wickets down,” said Dhawan. last two to three days”. “The BCCI has been No Test team has chased down 410 since He conceded the ground was polluted and sensitive on the smog and fog matter over the S Lankan Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera 2003, when the West Indies defeated the team had to “adjust accordingly”. “I years,” he added. — AFP 14 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Elliott, Flyers snap 10-game skid with 5-2 win over Flames

Smith scores twice to lead Predators over Bruins

CALGARY: Scott Laughton scored twice, Brian Elliott NHL results/standings made 43 saves and the Philadelphia Flyers snapped a 10-game losing streak Monday night with a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Calgary held a wide edge in Philadelphia 5, Calgary 2; Nashville 5, Boston 3; NY Islanders 5, Florida 4 (So); Washington 4, San Jose 1. play, outshooting Philadelphia 45-21, but the oppor- tunistic Flyers scored three times in a 1:11 span of the Western Conference second period to break open a 1-all game. Valtteri Central Division Filppula, Michael Raffl and Wayne Simmonds also W L OTL GF GA PTS scored for Philadelphia (9-11-7), and Jakub Voracek Winnipeg 17 6 4 94 71 38 had three assists. Five of the losses during the skid Nashville 17 7 3 87 78 37 came in overtime. Troy Brouwer, with his first of the St. Louis 17 8 2 88 72 36 season, and Sean Monahan scored for Calgary (14-12- Dallas 16 10 1 84 76 33 1). The Flames lost three of four on their homestand. Minnesota 13 10 3 78 77 29 Chicago 12 10 5 82 73 29 ISLANDERS 5, PANTHERS 4, SO Colorado 12 11 2 79 82 26 Pacific Division Mathew Barzal scored the winning goal in a Los Angeles 17 8 3 85 61 37 Las Vegas 16 9 1 90 82 33 San Jose 14 10 2 66 61 30 Vancouver 13 10 4 75 77 30 Calgary 14 12 1 80 88 29 Capitals backup Anaheim 11 11 5 72 82 27 Edmonton 11 14 2 78 92 24 goalie Grubauer Arizona 7 18 5 73 104 19 Eastern Conference made 24 saves Atlantic Division Tampa Bay 18 6 2 95 67 38 SUNRISE: Florida Panthers defenseman Alex Petrovic (6) slams New York Islanders center Anthony Toronto 17 10 1 99 84 35 Beauvillier (72) into the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday. — AP Montreal 13 12 3 78 86 29 Boston 12 9 4 69 73 28 shootout to lift New York over Florida after Panthers Detroit 10 12 5 74 90 25 goalie Roberto Luongo injured his leg in the second beat the Sharks for the fourth time in 18 meetings since won two in a row and six of eight. Capitals backup Ottawa 9 10 6 74 86 24 period. Anders Lee scored his 100th career goal. John Ovechkin entered the NHL in 2005-06. It was goalie Philipp Grubauer made 24 saves for his first Florida 10 13 4 79 93 24 Tavares, Brock Nelson and Thomas Hickey also Washington’s second regulation win against San Jose career victory against the Sharks. San Jose’s Martin Buffalo 6 17 4 56 94 16 scored in regulation for the Islanders. Jaroslav Halak in that time and first since Oct. 15, 2009. It also ended Jones allowed four goals on 29 shots in his second Metropolitan Division made 39 saves and stopped all three attempts in the a four-game skid in the series. Halting the Sharks’ game back from injury, and Timo Meier scored his Columbus 17 9 1 79 66 35 NY Islanders 16 8 2 99 86 34 shootout. Denis Malgin, Aleksander Barkov and recent mastery came at a cost: T.J. Oshie left in the third goal. New Jersey 15 7 4 80 80 34 Aaron Ekblad scored for the Panthers. Keith Yandle second period of a chippy game with an upper-body Washington 16 11 1 84 84 33 had a goal and two assists, and Vincent Trocheck injury and didn’t return.Ovechkin continued his climb PREDATORS 5, BRUINS 3 Pittsburgh 15 10 3 83 91 33 added three assists. James Reimer replaced Luongo up the career list with his 578th goal, passing Hall of Craig Smith scored twice and added an assist to NY Rangers 14 10 2 87 78 30 and finished with 16 saves. Famer Mark Recchi for 20th. He’s the 11th player in lead Nashville past Boston. Kevin Fiala had a goal and Carolina 11 9 5 72 77 27 NHL history to score at least 20 goals in each of his an assist, and Nick Bonino and Filip Forsberg also Philadelphia 9 11 7 75 83 25 CAPITALS 4, SHARKS 1 first 13 seasons. Ovechkin turned several defenders scored for the Predators, who have won three of four. Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the stand- Alex Ovechkin scored his NHL-leading 20th goal inside out and made a perfect pass to set up Brett Pekka Rinne made 37 saves. Charlie McAvoy, Zdeno ings and are not included in the loss column (L). and assisted on another as Washington stopped its Connolly’s power-play goal. Devante Smith-Pelly and Chara and David Pastrnak had the goals for the Bruins, recent run of futility against San Jose. The Capitals Jakub Vrana also scored for Washington, which has who won their previous two games. — AP

US bobsledder Ryan Drive for Olympic Bailey hit with status threatens 2-year doping ban eSports split

NEW YORK: US bobsledder Ryan Bailey was banned for SHANGHAI: The drive to get eSports into the two years for what he contends was an inadvertent doping Olympics threatens to divide professional gaming, pit- violation, ending the former track and field medalist’s bid ting those thirsty for global recognition against the tra- to compete in the Pyeongchang Olympics. ditionalists who fear the sport will lose its soul. Once The Court of Arbitration for Sport publicly announced associated with teenagers stuck in their bedrooms, the ruling, agreeing with the US Anti-Doping Agency’s stance that a six-month ban Bailey served earlier this year eSports is growing fast, the top players making millions was not enough. Bailey was part of the US team that won a of dollars and tournaments playing out to thousands of silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the London spectators in stadiums and many more online. Games in 2012. That medal was stripped years later fol- Last month, more than 40,000 fans flocked to lowing the doping conviction of relay teammate Tyson Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium to watch the final Gay. Bailey, still angry about forfeiting that silver, turned to of the world championships for League of Legends, one bobsledding last year with hopes of getting back to the of the most-played video games on the planet. Olympics. ESports is set to be included as a medal sport for the “I feel terrible for the guy,” said US bobsled driver Nick first time at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Cunningham, who was racing with Bailey this season and a significant step towards Olympic status. Austin won a World Cup silver medal with him last month in Lake “Capitalist” Walsh-everyone in eSports has a nick- Placid, New York. “He pretty much has to go through it name-is sceptical. twice. He was cleared and was extremely close to the “I do understand people-and I’ve heard this com- Olympic Games and now has to go through it all over plaint quite a lot-who say, ‘We are losing what eSports again. All that hard work for nothing.” Bailey took a sup- is, it is supposed to be guys in jeans and T-shirts talking plement in January that included dimethylbutylamine, a to their mates about video games’,” said Walsh, an SHANGHAI: File photo shows LGD Gaming players, with their trophies on display, practicing in Shanghai. The banned stimulant that has been shown to raise blood pres- eSports commentator and veteran of the scene. drive to get eSports into the Olympics threatens to divide professional gaming, pitting those thirsty for glob- sure. The American Arbitration Association said Bailey had “There are people who feel like we are trying to be al recognition. — AFP a “light degree of fault” when it ruled this year his suspen- too professional.” The American, who has been involved sion should be for six months, after accepting his explana- in eSports for nearly a decade, said that for some, tion that the positive test was triggered by his usage of a same Shanghai tournament. “There are country-based China, national teams are forced under the umbrella of high risk dietary supplement. Olympic inclusion would help justify to those from the Bailey served that suspension, which ended July 9. The outside what they do. eSports teams, but that’s not what makes eSports sports authorities. stimulant that Bailey took was not on the label of the sup- But speaking in Shanghai at a tournament for the strong,” he added, saying forcing teams into nationali- “It is just that I think this industry, from the game plement, though another banned product was listed as an battle game Dota 2, Walsh added: “I am happy that ties would break many current top teams apart. developers, the gamers, the clubs, to the operations, ingredient. USADA took the case to CAS, a hearing was people are interested in eSports and want to include it, “What makes eSports really strong is the fact that they are all a bit unique,” he said at a villa in Shanghai. held in Los Angeles earlier this week, and Bailey’s Olympic but I don’t care if it is in the Olympics and most people you take a blend of multiple regions and you put them Pan Fei, the manager of LGD’s 18 teams, said they hopes ended not long afterward. in eSports don’t. into one team.” competed in one tournament where teams took part by “I was disappointed to find out that his suspension got “All the Olympics does is get people involved in a nationality and suffered because they had to drop one extended,” USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Darrin Steele scene that they don’t really understand and they will ‘OLYMPICS NEEDS ESPORTS’ coach and three players, all non-Chinese. said. “He’s a good kid, but he made a mistake. And when put up certain rules and regulations that just don’t fit.” China’s LGD Gaming are a major force in profes- But he said some relished representing their you make mistakes, you have to pay a price. We think, giv- “TobiWan” Dawson, another renowned broadcaster, sional eSports with about 100 players, most of them country and of five LGD players quizzed by AFP, en the circumstances, that the price is excessive in this admitted there was a split within eSports over the push Chinese. Next month they will open their “home stadi- four were in favour of Olympic recognition. One of case. He’s got the potential to be one of the best push ath- to put it on a par with 100 metre sprinting and other um” in Hangzhou, near Shanghai, and until then are liv- those, Yao Zhengzheng, a relative eSports veteran at letes we’ve ever seen in the sport and I hope we see him traditional Olympic disciplines. ing and training together in villas or apartments. 27, said the Olympics would be “not just the realisa- back.”— AP “Personally, I think the Olympics will put too many Yao Yi, a former player and now an LGD coach, gave tion of self-worth, but also the realisation of indus- restrictions on us,” the Australian said, speaking at the the Olympic push only a guarded welcome because in try value”. — AFP

clashing head-on with Bengals receiver Josh Malone. lay on the ground. Smith-Schuster was given a 15-yard Steelers pip After extended treatment, the 25-year-old linebacker penalty after standing over Burfict and taunting the was strapped to a stretcher and ferried from the field as stricken Bengals player, and could face a stiffer sanc- nervous team-mates and fans looked on. tion from the NFL as a result. Bengals as “We’ll release an update at the appropriate time,” Earlier, the Bengals had taken a commanding early Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told a post-game press lead through a Randy Bullock field goal followed by injuries dominate conference. “Right now we’re just happy he’s getting two A.J. Green touchdowns from Andy Dalton passes. the necessary medical attention that he deserves.” Boswell reduced the deficit to 17-3 with a field goal late Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger admitted in the second quarter. LOS ANGELES: Chris Boswell kicked the winning field Pittsburgh had been unsettled by the sight of Shazier Le’Veon Bell then completed a 35-yard touchdown goal with the last play of the game as the Pittsburgh being carried from the field. “It’s tough. Any time any- from Roethlisberger’s pass to haul the Steelers back Steelers fought back to claim a 23-20 victory over the body goes down it’s scary, sad, emotions are running into it at 17-10. Bullock added a further field goal to put Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. Boswell’s 38-yard effort like crazy,” Roethlisberger said. There was more drama the Bengals back in front by 10. But after Boswell capped a battling comeback for the Steelers in an AFC late in the game when Bengals linebacker Vontaze kicked a 37-yard field goal, Antonio Brown hauled in a LAKE PLACID: In this Nov. 9, 2017 photo, United North division game that was overshadowed by an Burfict needed to be carted from the field after a brutal Roethlisberger pass to make it 20-20. States’ Ryan Bailey smiles on the podium in Lake injury to Pittsburgh defensive stalwart Ryan Shazier. hit by Steelers receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. With time running out, Boswell slotted his third field Placid. Bailey was banned for two years for what he Shazier crumpled to the turf in the first quarter and Smith-Schuster appeared to drive his helmet into goal of the game to give the Steelers a win which sees contends was an inadvertent doping violation. —AP appeared to be unable to move his lower limbs after Burfict’s helmet, leaving the Steelers player dazed as he them improve to 10-2.—AFP Established 1961 15 Sports Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Salah’s attacking armada gets Liverpool shipshape

Liverpool have returned to the Premier League top four

LONDON: Mohamed Salah has hogged the head- Firmino, who finished off two superb counter-attacks to lines this season, but as Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of take his tally of goals for the season to 11 in all competi- Brighton and Hove Albion demonstrated, he is but tions. “Roberto scored twice, but what he did around one component in a scintillating attacking armada. these goals is what excites me the most, to be honest,” Salah took a back seat at the Amex Stadium on Klopp told the Liverpool Echo newspaper. Saturday, contenting himself with an assist as “In all the counter-attacks, pretty much, he won the Roberto Firmino scored twice and Philippe Coutinho ball. By being here, by being a little annoying-a little found the net with a delightful free-kick beneath the foot, a little toe-that for us is important. “With all the jumping Brighton wall. rest around him, you need to get used to it. They are all With five wins in their different and all good. I last six games, Liverpool really like these players. have returned to the That’s why they are here.” Premier League top four for the first time since August. Being little MORE ROBUST Their one misstep in recent Coutinho, for now, weeks was the 3-3 draw at annoying that appears to have put his Sevilla in the Champions aborted close-season move League, in which their fail- for us is important to Barcelona behind him, his ure to protect a 3-0 lead left artful free-kick bringing him them requiring at least a a sixth league goal. Salah point at home to Spartak continues to dazzle, having Moscow on Wednesday to surpassed former Liverpool reach the last 16. luminaries such as Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres and But having scored 25 goals in their last eight games Luis Suarez by scoring 12 goals in his first 15 Premier in all c competitions, Liverpool are playing with as League appearances for the club. much verve and confidence as in any previous phase of Klopp could even afford the luxury of leaving Sadio manager Jurgen Klopp’s two-year tenure. Liverpool’s Mane, the final member of his ‘Fab Four’ of attackers, on display at Brighton moved beaten manager Chris the bench, ensuring the Senegalese flier will be primed STOKE-ON-TRENT: File photo shows Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (C) celebrates scoring their Hughton to dub Klopp’s side “the best team we have for action against Spartak. second goal during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Liverpool. — AFP played this season”, despite his men having also lost 2- Liverpool have maintained their form despite injury 0 to Pep Guardiola’s runaway league leaders problems in defence that obliged Klopp to align mid- Manchester City. fielders Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum as fluke by Chelsea’s Willian-compared to 13 in the previ- Klopp seems determined to avoid a repeat of last sea- Although Klopp’s team struggled to beat some of makeshift centre-backs in an experimental back three ous six. son’s January slump, when a worn-out team won just the league’s lesser lights last season, he downplayed at Brighton. Liverpool’s momentum has not been affected by the once in 10 games, fatally compromising their objectives their performance on the south coast, saying it had sim- They have also become more robust defensively, fact Klopp has made 54 changes to his starting line-up for the season. Eleven months on, with their array of ply been a case of “doing the job”. The German was having shipped only three goals in their last six league in the Premier League this season, which is more than attackers in clinical form, Liverpool appear to be in more forthcoming in his praise of Brazilian forward games-one of which was a Brighton penalty, another a any other manager. By regularly shuffling his pack, much finer fettle. —AFP

Manchester United. City are already Sterling guaranteed to finish as winners of Group F and with an eight-point lead over Matches on TV United in the league, Guardiola is likely (Local Timings) bounces back to prioritise the Manchester derby. Few would criticise Guardiola for from City brink wrapping Sterling in cotton wool after UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE his incredible form helped City win a LONDON: From the “hated one” to the record-equalling 13 successive league Feyenoord Rotterdam v Napoli 22:45 hero of Manchester City’s record-setting games and establish an all-competitions beIN SPORTS HD 3 run, Raheem Sterling has come a long unbeaten run of 28 matches. The 22- way in the last 18 months. When Sterling year-old’s last-gasp winner against Shakhtar Donetsk v Manchester City 22:45 arrived for pre-season training with City, Southampton last week was his 13th goal beIN SPORTS HD 2 the England winger faced an uncertain of the campaign, taking him past his total for last season in just under four months. KHARKIV: Shakhtar Donetsk’s Portuguese head coach Paulo Fonseca (L) looks on future amid talk Arsenal wanted to sign Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund 22:45 That goal was his third late deciding while goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov (R) speaks during a press conference in Kharkiv him as part of a deal that would send beIN SPORTS HD 4 Alexis Sanchez to Manchester. Being goal in as many games after winning yesterday. — AFP mooted as a makeweight in a deal that matches against Feyenoord and eventually fell through was hardly an Huddersfield with similar strikes. Aware Tottenham Hotspur v Apoel Nicosia 22:45 encouraging sign for Sterling, who had that Real Madrid have been linked with again following England’s Euro 2016 exit. into social media, more focused on foot- beIN SPORTS HD 7 struggled to live up to the hype after his Sterling in the past, City are determined Sterling found himself targeted by ball and his private life. That’s good,” £45 million ($60 million) move from to ensure he remains at Eastlands. England fans after an embarrassing Euro Guardiola said recently. Leipzig v Besiktas 22:45 Liverpool in 2015. But Sterling has Sterling has two years left on the 2016 defeat against Iceland, and he even Yet Guardiola refuses to take credit beIN SPORTS HD 8 flipped the script so effectively that he is £180,000-per-week deal he signed in branded himself the “hated one”. for Sterling’s resurgence, praising the 2015. But City’s Abu Dhabi-based own- Guardiola’s troubled trophy-less first player for knuckling down and maximis- now firmly established as one of City’s Porto v Monaco 22:45 ers are reported to be lining up a season at City was a further burden as ing the potential he showed with key men as they chase Premier League beIN SPORTS HD 6 and Champions League glory. £300,000-per-week contract that Sterling battled to make his mark in a Liverpool. “I didn’t discover Raheem. He Sterling has become so essential to would make him the Premier League’s squad packed with world-class attacking did that at Liverpool, he played amazing. Maribor v Sevilla 22:45 City’s success that when his team face highest paid player. talent. He emerged from that torrid peri- That’s why City paid a lot of mon- Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions Should Sterling sign that deal, it od thanks to a a helping hand from ey,” he said. “I don’t feel guilty if he’s beIN SPORTS HD 5 League today, he could find himself in would complete a remarkable reversal of Guardiola, who insisted the youngster not playing good and at the same time the privileged position of being rested fortune for a player who became a target must limit his social media presence and I don’t feel responsibility for Raheem Liverpool v Spartak Moscow 22:45 by Pep Guardiola ahead of Sunday’s for social media abuse during his acri- focus on his career instead. “He’s a nice playing good. All the credit goes to beIN SPORTS HD 1 crunch derby clash at title rivals monious departure from Liverpool and guy, loved in the locker room, stable, less him.” —AFP

rising Kuwaiti talents, Nissan Al Babtain sponsors born in 2006 and Abdulaziz Al-Saifan in 2007 who As a substantial commitment to social responsibili- Nissan Al Babtain “Ultimate Soccer Academy” for the second consecu- had both joined Al Arabi Sports Club while Talal Al- ty in Kuwait, Nissan Al Babtain seeks to encourage tive year. Manea joined Kuwait Club. the youth to further develop their talents and hopes Nissan Al Babtain is proud to announce the out- The participants in this academy receive training to build a strong and wholesome society that benefits supports ‘Ultimate standing success of the academy’s talented athletes. programs in accordance to the highest international future generations. This sponsorship is part of a long The academy has intensively trained each to be quali- standards under the supervision of a large number series of similar initiatives that cement its role in Soccer’ Academy fied in order to join the most prestigious Kuwaiti of experts in the field. They are also provided the serving the wider community and various sectors. clubs such as Al Qadsia Sports Club, Al Arabi Sports opportunity to participate in external camps that Since its inception, Nissan Al Babtain continues to Club and Kuwait Sports Club. The players that joined strengthen their commitment to teamwork. In addi- implement its strategic role and plans in encouraging talents Al Qadisia Club are Jassim Al-Matar born in 2006, tion to refining the capabilities and skills of the young people and stands as a pillar of support for Hamed Al-Anzi born in 2005, Abdulaziz Al-Kandari members of the “Ultimate Soccer” Academy within diverse community effort. The brand is driven by its KUWAIT: As part of its continuous efforts to support born in 2005 followed by Ali Al-Kandari born in and outside of the soccer field through engaging inherent principles to model passion, integrity and all segments of the society with particular focus on 2005. The other talented players, Rashed Nassar was and competitive games. commitment throughout Kuwait and the region. Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

Minister stops S Lanka US bobsledder Ryan Bailey Salah’s attacking armada 13team leaving for India 14 hit with 2-year doping ban 15 gets Liverpool shipshape

PHILADELPHIA: Phoenix Suns’ Tyson Chandler (4) blocks a shot by Philadelphia 76ers’ Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Philadelphia. — AP 12th straight win as Love, James gore Bulls Curry injury fear as Warriors comeback stuns Pelicans CHICAGO: Kevin Love scored 24 points and grabbed 13 blocks in 21 minutes. Utah won its sixth straight game Jokic (left ankle), whose return date is uncertain, and Portland, prevailing for the first time under interim rebounds and LeBron James finished with 23 points, overall and fifth consecutive home contest. forward Paul Millsap (left wrist), who will be out the coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The previous head coach, David seven rebounds and six assists as the Cleveland next several months, and the Nuggets are missing a pair Fizdale, was fired last week. Cavaliers won their 12th straight game with a 113-91 SPURS 96, PISTONS 93 that brings nearly 31 points and 17 rebounds. victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. The LaMarcus Aldridge scored 17 points, including San PACERS 115, KNICKS 97 Cavaliers (17-7) can tie a franchise record for consecu- Antonio’s final six points of the game, and took 10 WARRIORS 125, PELICANS 115 Thaddeus Young scored 20 points and Bojan tive victories with a win today at home against rebounds as San Antonio came from behind to beat Stephen Curry scored a team-high 31 points and Nick Bogdanovic added 19, propelling Indiana to a romp Sacramento. Dwayne Wade, who is flourishing as a Detroit. Detroit led 86-82 with 4:42 to play before Patty Young and Klay Thompson combined for 18 points in the over short-handed New York. Seven players scored in reserve with the Cavaliers following a season playing Mills canned a long 3-pointer from well beyond the top of fourth quarter as Golden State erased a 20-point halftime double figures for Indiana. Victor Oladipo added 16 for his hometown Bulls, also finished with 24 points to the circle to begin a 14-2 San Antonio run that granted the deficit and defeated New Orleans. The Warriors trailed points for the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis contributed 12 help pace the Cavaliers. Jeff Green added 14 points for Spurs a 94-88 advantage with 1:51 remaining. The Pistons by as many as 21 points late in the second quarter and by points and 12 rebounds, and Darren Collison had 10 Cleveland. Kris Dunn scored 15 points to lead Chicago then forged a final charge, getting to within 94-93 with 20 at halftime. The comeback was their second best of points and 10 assists. The Knicks played without their (3-19), which has lost nine straight games. Robin Lopez 23.5 seconds left on a put- the season. They overcame a two top scorers, Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway and Justin Holiday also scored 14 points for the Bulls, back by Andre Drummond. 24-point deficit against Jr., for the second consecutive game. Porzingis is out who also got 13 points from Lauri Markkanen and 10 Aldridge then sank two free Philadelphia on Nov. 18. The with sprained right ankle and an illness. Hardaway is from Bobby Portis. throws with 5.2 seconds Seven players Warriors, who have beaten sidelined with lower left leg injury. remaining to increase San New Orleans in 20 of their SUNS 115, 76ERS 101 Antonio’s lead to 96-93. scored in last 21 meetings, outscored NETS 110, HAWKS 90 Devin Booker scored a season-high 46 points, 13 in a the Pelicans 76-47 in the Caris LeVert scored a season-high 17 points, and clinching 16-3 run late in the game, as Phoenix beat MAVERICKS 122, double figures second half after trailing 69- Brooklyn broke the game open with a 17-0 run to open Philadelphia to snap a two-game losing streak. Booker NUGGETS 105 49 at the half. the second half as the Nets beat Atlanta. LeVert, a sec- shot 17 of 32 from the floor, including 5 of 8 from 3- Denver started a six- for Indiana ond-year guard from Michigan, entered the game aver- point range, as Phoenix won for just the second time in game road trip desperately GRIZZLIES 95, aging 10.3 points. He almost equaled that with nine first- seven games. TJ Warren added 25 points for the Suns. trying to figure out how to TIMBERWOLVES 92 half points. He shot 7-for-13 from the field and matched win away from home. It Marc Gasol scored 21 his career best with seven assists. LeVert’s previous best JAZZ 116, WIZARDS 69 didn’t happen as it fell behind by 25 points early in a points as Memphis held on to defeat Minnesota, end- scoring night was a 16-point effort against the Hawks on Alec Burks scored 27 points to spearhead a balanced loss to Dallas. Denver fell to 3-8 on the road. With ing an 11-game losing streak. Minnesota shooting Oct 22. The Nets avenged a 114-102 loss to the Hawks in offensive effort from Utah as it ran past Washington. games coming up at New Orleans, Detroit and Boston guard Jimmy Butler, who had a game-high 30 points, Brooklyn on Saturday, and they have won two of three Donovan Mitchell added 21 points for Utah. Rudy Gobert on this road swing, the Nuggets could find themselves launched an off-balance 3-point attempt at the buzzer meetings against Atlanta this season. Brooklyn has won returned to the Jazz lineup after missing 11 games with a at .500 if they can’t put together four solid quarters on that would have tied the game, but the shot missed. three of its past five games overall. Atlanta has lost three knee contusion, and he collected 10 rebounds and two enemy territory. Add key injuries to starters Nikola Memphis won for the first time since Nov. 7 at of its past five.— Reuters

up the Ballon d’Or award tomorrow for firing in the Champions League in which he is the Ronaldo Real to Champions League glory last season, top scorer with eight goals from five games scoring hat-tricks against Bayern Munich and and on course become the top marskman in Atletico Madrid in the quarter and semi-finals Europe’s elite competition for a sixth straight deserves more and a double in the 4-1 win over Juventus in year. “For me he deserves to win the Ballon the final. If he wins the award, Ronaldo will tie d’Or because he’s had an incredible year,” respect: Zidane Lionel Messi’s record of being named the Real midfielder Mateo Kovacic said. best player in the world five times. “I think “I’m very happy for him, the Ballon d’Or Cristiano deserves more respect because he means a lot to him and to us although the MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo deserves more is such a great player that when things don’t most important thing is that we win together respect, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane quite go his way everyone has something to as a team. “I see Cristiano train every day and said yesterday as he backed the usually pro- say about him,” Zidane told a news confer- he is doing fine. He’s going to score a lot of lific Portuguese to come good in the second ence yesterday ahead of Real’s final goals this season. Right now the ball doesn’t half of the season amid his worst domestic Champions League Group H game with want to go in for him, but there’s a long way campaign in Spain. Borussia Dortmund. to go and he’s going to start scoring again.” Ronaldo has scored two goals in 10 league “The club and the fans who love Cristiano Real are guaranteed to finish second in games and came in for criticism in the Ronaldo know what he is doing. Just last sea- Group H behind Tottenham Hotspur, while Spanish media for his display in Real’s goal- son he had a phenomenal campaign. We are Dortmund need to win to secure third spot in less draw against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday halfway into the season, we still have six the group and a place in the Europa League which left the Liga champions eight points months left of the season. Six months is a very as they are locked on two points with fourth- behind leaders Barcelona. long time for Cristiano.” placed APOEL Nicosia but have a superior MADRID: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo eyes the ball during a The 32-year-old is still expected to pick Ronaldo has lived up to his high standards head-to-head record. — Reuters training session in Madrid yesterday. — AP Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Business

Boursa Kuwait ties up with KFH turns into a success icon in China says its ‘open’ internet 18global firm Oliver Wyman 21 Islamic banking over 4 decades 22 accounts for a third of economy

BRUSSELS: Oxfam activists stage a happening mimicking wealthy people hiding their money in tax haven yesterday near the European institutions in Brussels, within a meeting of European Union ministers over a credible blacklist of non-EU tax havens. — AFP EU blacklists 17 tax havens

Paradise Papers leak gave a new impetus to the plan

BRUSSELS: European Union ministers adopted off multinationals. The countries on the list are: with divisions still strong in recent days on who debate is still open. Other countries are reluctant breaching EU tax criteria. However, the criteria yesterday a blacklist of 17 non-EU tax havens American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Grenada, would make the final version. EU Economic to draw up common sanctions, believing that do single out countries that facilitate the cre- including Panama, South Korea and the United Guam, Macau, the Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said responsibility is better left to member states. “To ation of shell companies and other structures Arab Emirates after a year of tough negotiations. Namibia, Palau, Panama, Saint Lucia, Samoa, ahead of the official announcement that this was be on a blacklist is in itself bad enough and of that could aid tax avoidance. Countries in the The Paradise Papers leak last month gave a South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia and fewer than the 20 countries he had hoped for course there will be consequences for these EU’s firing line have been given an opportunity new impetus to the plan, making public some of the United Arab Emirates. A further 47 countries but would be a “initial victory”. countries,” Luxembourg Finance Minister Pierre to stay off the list if they provide a political com- the intricate ways the world’s rich evade tax are on a “grey list”, sources said. Gramegna said. An existing list of tax havens mitment and a detailed plan to comply. using offshore havens. “We have adopted at EU Other jurisdictions are understood to have Enforcement problem compiled by the Organization for Economic All countries, which initially included the US, level a list of states which are not doing enough been given leeway after suffering severe damage Enforcement is the biggest problem, with EU Cooperation and Development (OECD) current- were given until yesterday’s meeting of the EU’s to fight tax evasion. This blacklist includes 17 during hurricanes in the Caribbean earlier this countries split over whether blacklisted coun- ly includes only Trinidad and Tobago. 28 finance ministers to provide feedback and states,” French finance minister Bruno Le Maire year. Britain fought particularly hard against the tries should be subjected to financial sanctions The EU originally screened a total of 92 juris- possible measures to satisfy EU demands. The told reporters in Brussels. The EU has strug- list, afraid that its crown dependencies, including or if the list itself is shaming enough. Several dictions and once the list is compiled it is list is the latest international effort to clamp gled for over a year to finalize the blacklist, with Jersey and the Virgin Islands, would be singled states, including France, support tough measures expected to be continuously updated. In a blow down on tax avoidance increasingly seen as a smaller, low-tax EU nations such as Ireland, out. Senior officials from member states had against the listed tax havens such as exclusion to activists, states that charge no corporate tax moral issue-following the OECD’s move to com- Malta and Luxembourg worried about scaring whittled down an initial draft of 29 countries, from EU and World Bank funding, though the are not automatically considered at risk of pile a list of “uncooperative tax havens”. — AFP

US trade open some sort of account, with that you deficit rises Russian tycoons, buy special bonds which the finance min- istry will issue.” There was no indication that the Russian government was seriously to $48.7bn on fearing new considering such a move, and the finance ministry declined to comment. Two sources record imports sanctions, float close to the ministry said they did not look favorably on the idea. A senior executive in a Russian state bank said it would acceler- WASHINGTON: Record imports lifted the US new bond idea ate a move that has already started. trade deficit to $48.7 billion in October, highest The banker said wealthy people in since January. The Commerce Department said President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle were yesterday that the trade gap rose 8.6 percent in putting modest amounts of foreign curren- October from $44.9 billion in September. Imports MOSCOW: Wealthy Russians facing the cy into Russian bank deposits. “But the hit a record $244.6 billion in October, and prospect of targeted US sanctions next interest rates on foreign currency deposits exports were unchanged at $195.9 billion. A trade year have floated the idea of a special are low, whereas investing in finance min- deficit means that the United States is buying treasury bond to facilitate favorable terms istry forex instruments can secure them more goods and services from other countries for bringing their cash home, three sources good returns,” he said. “They can make than it is selling them. A rising trade gap reduces familiar with the scheme said. money on that.” US economic growth. The bond, denominated in foreign A source in the Russian financial mar- President Donald Trump views America’s exchange, would be offered at a higher kets said he had also heard from wealth massive trade deficits as a sign of economic yield than bank rates and be more liquid managers about new cashflows from weakness. He blames them on bad trade deals than Eurobonds, the sources said. Crucially, abroad. “They are moving their money to and abusive practices by China and other trade WASHINGTON: The sky over The Capitol is lit up at dawn as Senate Republicans work to unlike with bank accounts, holders would Russia,” he said. partners. Conventional economists argue that pass their sweeping tax bill in Washington. — AP be able to remain anonymous. “There is Special forex bonds have been issued in trade deficits are largely caused not by flawed information that a number of people want the past and even have a nickname, trade agreements or cheating by particular coun- made US goods less expensive overseas. Imports of the world in services such as banking and to bring their foreign cash assets back “Vebovki”, after state development bank tries but by a bigger economic force: Americans are up 6.5 percent the first 10 months of 2017. tourism. But that was overwhelmed by a $69.1 here,” said an executive from a major VEB which issued them, according to a spend more than they produce, and imports have The politically sensitive trade deficit in goods billion deficit in the trade of goods. Russian state company, who like others person with close ties to the Kremlin and to to fill in the gap. So far this year, the United with China rose 1.7 percent to $35.2 billion from Crude oil imports were up $1.5 billion in spoke on condition of anonymity because leading oligarchs. “Now the sanctions could States is running a trade deficit of $462.9 billion, September to October and is up 7 percent this October. Imports of drilling and oilfield equip- of the sensitivity of the topic. be an additional argument,” for issuing such up 11.9 percent from a year earlier. US exports year to $309 billion. In October, the United ment climbed by $304 million, and imports of “The idea they came up with is that you an instrument, he said. — Reuters are up 5.3 percent this year; a weaker dollar has States ran a surplus of $20.3 billion with the rest cellphones rose by $303 million. — AP 18 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Boursa Kuwait ties up with global firm Oliver Wyman Top companies attend market maker workshop KUWAIT: Boursa Kuwait, has successfully hosted its first that serves in boosting liquidity of securities listed in the Market Maker Workshop in collaboration with global stock market, as well as improving productivity in the mar- management consulting firm, Oliver Wyman. ket. The Market Maker Workshop was divided into five Held at Boursa Kuwait’s premises, the half-day work- different sessions all with the aim of providing insights and shop saw Oliver Wyman presenting an overview of market an overview on what a market maker is. The sessions making, its benefits and key considerations to Boursa included Introductions and latest on Capital Market Kuwait and investment trends, role of Market companies in attendance Makers and incentive in the hopes of encourag- structures, Risk ing further investment in Management tools for mar- Kuwait. ket makers, and Case study Kuwait is in the midst Focus on examples on Market of great change and Making from peer markets. opportunity in support of boosting This was followed by a the New Kuwait 2035 Q+A session in which Vision. To assist in investment investment companies had Kuwait’s economic the opportunity to interact growth, it is essential that with Oliver Wyman. Boursa Kuwait adopts Boursa Kuwait’s aim is market making initiatives to maintain transparency, to transform the nation provide world class servic- into a regional hub for trade, investment, and commerce. es and products that will position Boursa Kuwait as a lead- The Market Maker Workshop provided an overview of ing stock market in the region. To achieve this, they have different working models for setting up a market maker conducted a series of trainings and awareness workshops scheme to attract potential firms. providing full details on each to further educate stakehold- KUWAIT: Boursa Kuwait holds its first Market Maker Workshop in collaboration With market making, Boursa Kuwait have a crucial tool ers on Boursa Kuwait’s products and services. with global management consulting firm, Oliver Wyman.

NBK Economic Report Boursa Kuwait adds ‘Corporate Events Kuwait’s real Calendar’ section estate activity on new website picks up pace

KUWAIT: Reinforcing its transparent approach, Boursa Kuwait recently KUWAIT: Improvement in real estate activity con- added the ‘Corporate Events Calendar’ tinues apace as sales posted strong growth figures section, which displays all listed com- and prices remained relatively stable. Total real panies corporate events and other estate sales grew an impressive 46 percent year- related activities that concerns Boursa on-year (y/y) in October, the highest monthly Kuwait as well as the investors. growth since June 2014, reaching KD 216.9 million, The new feature aims to keep on revived activity in the commercial sector as well Boursa Kuwait stakeholders, mainly as strength from the residential sector sales. Total investors, up-to-date with market transactions picked up to 450 units in October, ris- ing 23 percent compared to the same period last developments, such as those that affect lations and trading system, reinforcing year. Prices remained on the recovery trend overall, stock prices. This will ensure that the company’s long-term commitment except for the residential home price index that saw investors are provided with an upfront to creating open and transparent sys- a return to early 2017 price levels. adequate information, required to tems. Boursa Kuwait will continue to residential home prices softened slightly. The NBK is committed to the development plan with proj- The residential sector bolstered the real estate make sound investment decisions. develop its offerings and work residential home price index reached 150.2 in ect awards. Higher sales in September and market once again in October, continuing the sup- All announcements, news and dis- towards delivering the highest level of October, down 1.5 percent from a year ago. The October helped reverse the drag on investment portive role witnessed throughout 2017. Residential closures are standardized for a more efficiency and transparency to its NBK residential land price index picked up further building prices. The NBK investment building sales jumped 38 percent y/y in October to KD efficient access. The events and corre- stakeholders. to 176.7, down only 1.1 percent y/y. The price price index recovered to 181.1 in October, down a sponding dates which will be covered Boursa Kuwait was founded in 110.3 million with a healthy 357 transactions. In the indices both show progress, given the pace of mere 2.3 percent y/y (Chart 5). This is a vast under the Boursa Kuwait ‘Corporate April 2014 by the Capital Market first ten months of this year, sales activity in the decline in both indices was more pronounced in the improvement from the double digit declines-to Events Calendar’ section will include: Authority Commissioners’ council res- residential property market as a whole has grown first half of the year. the tune of 14 percent y/y on average-witnessed General Assembly Meetings, Dividend olution No. 37/2013 dates 11/20/2013 by 25 percent compared to the same period last Investment property sales show pick up but earlier this year and in late 2016. Distribution Dates, Capital Increase and permeable to Law No. (7/2010), year. Residential homes made up over 60 percent are still lower than the prior year’s monthly aver- Commercial sector activity bounced back quick- Calls, Board of Directors Meetings, to replace the Kuwait stock exchange of transactions. In residential land sales, there was age. October sales reached KD 60.1 million, a ly in October following a short lull in market activi- Financial Results, Corporate Actions in order to create a competitive secu- strong activity in the Sabah Al-Ahmad coastal area better performance than the 3Q17 monthly aver- ty. A total of 7 sales took place in the commercial Timetable and other announcements. rities exchange at the regional level with 31 plots sold, Abu Ftaira with 30 transactions, age, but remained below the 2016 monthly aver- sector, worth a combined KD 46.5 million, up from To facilitate the process of tracking and upgrade standards in the capital and Al-Funaitees with 24 plots. age of KD 68 million. Investor interest may be the previous month’s KD 7.5 million. The largest down the corporate events of impor- markets to the international level. Residential land prices continued their recovery coming back on improved expectations; oil prices transaction that took place was a KD 29.4 million tance for each stakeholder, Boursa Boursa Kuwait’s key strategic after the slowdown in the first half of the year, while have recovered and the government has shown it commercial plot in Sharq. Kuwait has made available the option objective is to execute an effective to filter the corporate events by com- management of the transformation pany or type of event and by specifying from current operator while creating European Union’s eastern wing, has seen strong with about 500 staff, a spokesman said, adding daily, weekly or monthly views for each. an attractive issuer base, broadening Goldman Sachs, economic growth over the past decade and has that possible locations included the Polish cities Boursa Kuwait included key new the investor base, increasing depth proven attractive for international banks and other of Warsaw and Krakow as well as Prague and features offered on the newly launched and breadth of products and upgrad- companies, partly due to its cheaper labor costs. Budapest. bilingual website, which contains a ing the stock exchange infrastructure StanChart eye 750 A spokesman for Goldman Sachs said the bank The bank will make a decision on the location much greater range of information, and business environment to interna- would sharply increase its Polish headcount to by the first quarter of 2018, the spokesman including new charts, ‘live’ data and tional standards. new jobs in Poland between 750 and 800 by the end of next year, up added. In September, Poland announced that US news updates of Boursa Kuwait cor- Boursa Kuwait aims with this from 525 now. The new jobs will primarily be in bank JPMorgan Chase planned to hire more than porate events and activities. strategy to enhance the current level operations and technology, risk management, 3,000 people for its new global operations cen- Information accessibility is a key of performance, achieve emerging LONDON: Goldman Sachs is looking to hire treasury and human resources - mainly ‘back tre in Warsaw. theme and the revised homepage is markets status, enable the market to about 250 staff in Poland in 2018 and Standard office’ roles which do not have to be located in Goldman Sachs is also set to sign a lease on a designed to make it much easier for compete with regional peers and Chartered is also considering the country as a more expensive locations such as London or new office in Milan that will boost its presence in visitors to find market information. A build a market reflecting the strength, possible new hub for around 500 staff, the banks Frankfurt. Italy as Britain prepares to leave the European key element of the website is a section depth and flexibility of the Kuwaiti said yesterday. Standard Chartered said it was looking to Union, sources familiar with the matter told which explains Boursa Kuwait’s regu- private sector. Poland, by far the largest country in the expand in eastern Europe by setting up an office Reuters last week.—Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Canadian dollar 239.870 Malaysian Ringgit 75.535 Chinese Yuan 0.044312 0.047812 Turkish lira 78.700 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.170 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036805 0.039555 Swiss Franc 309.090 Thai Bhat 10.265 Indian Rupee 0.004105 0.004746 ASIAN COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 232.550 Turkish Lira 78.300 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Japanese Yen 2.690 US Dollar Buying 301.400 Indian Rupees 4.700 Japanese Yen 0.002607 0.002787 Pakistani Rupees 2.866 GOLD Bahrain Exchange Company Korean Won 0.000269 0.000284 Srilankan Rupees 1.966 20 Gram 260.520 Malaysian Ringgit 0.070543 0.076543 Nepali Rupees 2.937 10 Gram 133.180 Nepalese Rupee 0.003019 0.003189 Singapore Dollar 225.740 5 Gram 67.430 CURRENCY BUY SELL Pakistan Rupee 0.002638 0.002928 Europe Hongkong Dollar 38.713 Philippine Peso 0.005883 0.006183 Bangladesh Taka 3.640 British Pound 0.401871 0.409371 Singapore Dollar 0.219494 0.229494 Philippine Peso 5.967 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Czech Korune 0.006019 0.018019 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001700 0.002280 Thai Baht 9.305 Danish Krone 0.044192 0.049192 Taiwan 0.009997 0.010177 Euro 0. 353476 0.360976 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Thai Baht 0.008944 0.009494 GCC COUNTRIES Georgian Lari 0.134777 0.134777 Saudi Riyal 80.747 US Dollar 302.250 Norwegian Krone 0.032344 0.037544 Qatari Riyal 83.166 Canadian Dollar 239.355 Arab Romanian Leu 0.064745 0.081595 Omani Riyal 786.383 Sterling Pound 408.580 Bahraini Dinar 0.795659 0.804159 Euro 360.335 Russian ruble 0.005152 0.005152 Bahraini Dinar 804.040 Egyptian Pound 0.014500 0.020218 Swiss Frank 298.580 Slovakia 0.009016 0.019016 UAE Dirham 82.441 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Bahrain Dinar 802.195 Swedish Krona 0.031896 0.036896 Iraqi Dinar 0.000185 0.000245 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 82.680 Swiss Franc 0.300715 0.311715 Egyptian Pound - Cash 19.900 Qatari Riyals 83.505 Jordanian Dinar 0.422189 0.431189 Saudi Riyals 81.460 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 17.069 Australasia Jordanian Dinar 427.585 Lebanese Pound 0.000155 0.000255 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.215 Australian Dollar 0.222893 0.234893 Tunisian Dinar 122.760 Egyptian Pound 17.136 Moroccan Dirhams 0.023518 0.047518 New Zealand Dollar 0.202492 0.211992 Jordanian Dinar 426.680 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.969 Omani Riyal 0.779656 0.785336 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.017 Indian Rupees 4.702 Qatar Riyal 0.078827 0.083767 Pakistani Rupees 2.864 America Syrian Lira 0.000 Saudi Riyal 0.079607 0.080807 Morocco Dirham 32.538 Bangladesh Taka 3.666 Canadian Dollar 0.233373 0.242373 Syrian Pound 0.001282 0.001502 Philippines Pesso 5.977 US Dollars 0.2989500 0.302920 Tunisian Dinar 0.117724 0.125724 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 17.985 US Dollars Mint 0.299000 0.302920 US Dollar Transfer 302.600 Japanese Yen 3.680 Turkish Lira 0.072820 0.083120 Syrian Pound 1.590 UAE Dirhams 0.080962 0.082662 Euro 360.550 Asia Nepalese Rupees 2.946 Yemeni Riyal 0.000983 0.001063 Sterling Pound 408.810 Bangladesh Taka 0.003296 0.003880 Established 1961 19 Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Business NBK-Egypt partners with MasterCard to launch a wide array of payment cards Bank enhancing its banking services to better serve customers

KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait - Egypt has On this occasion, Amr Elalfy, Chief Business officer ing change in consumers’ behaviors and spending pat- Bank to offer sharia-com- unveiled its new partnership with MasterCard, a lead- at NBK - Egypt, said: “We are very proud with the terns, MasterCard recognizes the importance of pro- pliant products as well as ing technology company in the global payments indus- launch of various kinds of global MasterCard cards, viding modern customers with fast, convenient and traditional products. try, launching a range of credit cards and debit cards which are deemed among the most popular cards secure way to pay and that matches their lifestyles. Our The National Bank of that cater to the customers’ diverse needs. around the world as they carry several advantages for a partnership with the National Bank of Kuwait not only Kuwait, established in 1952 Among the newly launched cards is the World distinctive segment of bank customers, especially cus- brings value to cardholders regardless of their location as the oldest national bank MasterCard Credit Card, which offers a range of exclu- tomers who want to travel, whether for tourism or to while complementing their bespoke needs, but the and financial institution in sive benefits and services that meet the needs of distin- take advantage of high-end exclusive promotions newly introduced cards also provide distinct facilities the State of Kuwait and the guished customers, including, but not limited to, free offered by their unique MasterCard cards, as well as and attractive offers with a view to encourage more Arabian Gulf region, is one access to over 550 airport lounges in 120 countries enjoying safe banking individuals to adopt digi- of the largest and most around the world. The card also gives customers access transactions with the tal payment”. prominent Arab banks and to the NBK Miles Points program enabling them to “smart chip” technology NBK - Egypt is a it has the highest credit redeem mileage points for airline tickets at more than away from the risk of subsidiary of NBK rating in the Middle East. 800 airlines or in hotel reservations at more than having a card lost or Group. It was founded in The global agencies 150,000 hotels around the world. In addition to the stolen since it is easy to Safe banking Egypt in 1980 under the Moody’s, Standard & Amr Elalfy opportunity of using the points when renting cars from get a replacement card name of the National Poor’s, and Fitch unani- major companies, and cash back value given in return anywhere in the world”. with smart chip Bank of Egypt. Its net- mously confirm the robustness of its financial indica- to the earned mileage points. MasterCard World card- He added that the work of branches tors, the quality of its high assets, its strong capitaliza- holders also enjoy several other benefits and travel launch of NBK - Egypt technology spreads to key areas in tion, the experience of its management, the clarity of its insurance services. MasterCard cards governorates and cities strategic vision and the availability of a stable funding The bank also introduced the Platinum MasterCard comes as part of the including Cairo, Giza, base. The National Bank of Kuwait also maintains its Credit Card that offers a wide range of features and high- Bank’s exclusive elec- Alexandria, the Delta, position among the top 50 safest banks in the world for est levels of security and convenience to its privileged tronic services designed Sinai, the Red Sea and the twelfth consecutive year. NBK Group today has the customers. The Platinum MasterCard Card gives card- to meet the needs and requirements of all of the Bank’s Upper Egypt, as well as industrial areas such as the city largest network of local and international branches, holders the purchasing power they need both in Egypt customers in line with NBK’s regional and international of the Sixth of October and the Tenth of Ramadan. It is reaching 153 branches and subsidiaries covering four and abroad, as well as the privileges of the “NBK Miles position. also one of the few banks in the Egyptian market that continents around the world and spread across the Points Program” and free access to the exclusive waiting In turn, Magdy Hassan, General Manager Egypt and has an Islamic license in addition to the conventional United States of America, Europe, the Gulf States, the areas at some airports in Egypt and the Middle East. North Africa - MasterCard, said: “In light of the ongo- license. It has two Islamic branches which allow the Middle East, China and Singapore.

Citi alumni network holds its 4th annual Gulf Bank announces event in Kuwait winners of Al-Danah KUWAIT: After a disconnection of two years, Citibank Kuwait’s alumni got together at the recently held dinner event at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait. In daily draws 2012, and on the occasion of the 200 year anniversary of Citi, the Bank began holding annual alumni events in all the countries it operates in. In Kuwait, the first alumni event was a celebration of Citi’s 200 year glob- al anniversary and the first Kuwait alumni event. At the time, the database had only 7 alumni most of whom had worked at Citi in other countries but now work and reside in other financial institutions in Kuwait. After 5 years, the list has exceeded 50 alumni who worked at Citi in Kuwait and in other countries around Group picture of Alumni and Citibank Kuwait employees during the fourth alumni event. the world but currently reside in Kuwait. The event is an annual one initiated by Citi to thank KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily draws on its former employees for their commitment, hard work, 4 December 2017 announcing the names of its winners and loyalty which contributed to the franchise’s suc- for the week of 26 November - 29 November 2017. cess in Kuwait and elsewhere. The Al-Danah daily draws include draws every work- Speaking at the event, Citibank Kuwait CEO and ing day for two prizes of KD 1,000 per winner. General Manager, Fatah Adour said: “I am pleased to stand before you today and to see all of you. The The winners are: banking sector in Kuwait continues to develop and (Sunday 26/11): Khalid Naser Mubarak Al-Hamad grow along with all the big projects planned for the Al-Sabah, Khalil Ibrahim Khalil Gharbia State of Kuwait. The rise in the number of alumni (Monday 27 /11): Mohammed Naser Saleh Al- working in Kuwait is a clear evidence of the need for Rekaf, Ali Safi reputable bankers like yourselves and proves Citi was (Tuesday 28/11): Eissa Hajji Mousa, Halemah a great school for all of you to learn from so as to Abdullah Mohammed Al-Rashedi apply later in your careers”. (Wednesday 29/11): Mahmoud Sayed Mandany The Citi Alumni Network is open to all alumni who Rajab, Sahar Abdulla Abdulmohsen Al-Ibrahim worked with Citi for at least one year. Alumni are Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2017 draw lineup includes encouraged to sign up at www.citialumninetwork.com. daily draws (tow winners per working day and each Once the registration is complete, an email confirma- receive KD1,000). Al-Danah’s final draw for KD 1 mil- tion will be sent, and members can start submitting lion will be held on 11 January, 2018 whereby the Al- relevant news articles as well as their own alumni Danah millionaire will be announced. stories. Raj addresses alumni attendees. Fatah Adour speaks during fourth Gulf Bank encourages you to increase your Citi has been in the Arab World for nearly 50 years alumni event. chances by depositing more into your Al-Danah and continues to view the region as critical to its global account, immediately from any local bank, using the franchise. It is currently present in eleven Arab countries Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, Bahrain, and Qatar. Citi is the currently offers corporate and investment banking serv- new ePay (Self-Pay) service, which is available on Gulf including Kuwait, Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, fourth foreign bank to set-up a branch in Kuwait, and ices, private banking and wealth management services. Bank’s Online and Mobile Banking.

Five reasons why the Al-Danah account is the best 1) Kuwait’s single biggest yearly cash prize of KD 1 million and the largest international bank prize Malabar Group according to Guinness World Records 2) Kuwait’s biggest quarterly cash prizes, up to Chairman MP KD 500,000 3) Two winners of KD1,000 every working day 4) The most chances to win Ahammed awarded 5) Only Bank that transfers your chances to win from the previous year to the current year as the ‘Most Promising Only Al-Danah makes millionaires. Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including: the Al-Danah deposit only ATM card which Business Leader of Asia’ helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator to KUWAIT: MP Ahammed, Chairman - Malabar help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Group has been selected for the most promising Al-Danah winner. Business Leaders in Asia award 2017 by The Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to Kuwaiti Economic Times Daily. He has been selected in gold and non-Kuwaiti residents of Kuwait. Customers and diamond business category along with other require a minimum of KD200 to open an account and top corporate leaders in Asia. MP Ahammed, the same amount must be maintained as for customers Chairman - Malabar Group received the business to be eligible for the upcoming Al-Danah draws. If the customer’s account balance falls below KD200 at any excellence award from Dato Sri Mustapa Bin given time, a KD2 charge will be made on a monthly Mohammed, Minister of Industrial and International basis to the account until the minimum balance is met. Trade, Malaysia; in presence of S Tirumurti, Indian Customers who open an account and/ or deposit High Commissioner for Malaysia and Deepak more will enter the daily draw within two days. Lamba, President - TSSL and CEO, Worldwide Media at the Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave 2017 held at Kuala Lumpur, estimated a cost of more than 100 billion crowns for 30 percent and Norway’s state-owned Petoro with 20 Malaysia. Statoil presents Castberg, making the field unprofitable at current oil percent. As part of the announcement, engineering The jury has selected the winners for the award prices, but had vowed to work with suppliers to reduce company Aker Solutions won a contract worth 4 billion based on their performance track record measured the investment. Norwegian crowns to build subsea systems and pro- on a number of criteria including their leadership $5.9bn Castberg In June, Statoil said revised Castberg plans would be vide design and procurement services. quality in respective business verticals, quality to presented by the end of the year. “This makes the Johan “The field is essential for continuous production guide the establishment to excellence in business as oilfield plan Castberg project the biggest offshore oil and gas growth on the Norwegian continental shelf for Statoil development to be given the go-ahead in 2017,” the from 2022 onwards,” Danske Bank analyst Anders well as making their contribution to society as best OSLO: Norway’s Statoil presented long-awaited company said, adding that it would be the sixth field to Holte said. corporate citizens, the organizers of the conclave investment plans yesterday for its Arctic Johan come on stream off the coast of northern Norway. “The field is one of the few remaining large said. The jury had selected the winners after doing Castberg oil discovery, which is expected to cost 49 Partners in Castberg, which is believed to hold developments offshore Norway and as such it’s the necessary due diligence tracking their perform- billion Norwegian crowns ($5.89 billion) to develop between 450 million and 650 million barrels of oil important for the long term outlook for Statoil’s liq- ance continuously over a period of time, they added. ahead of a 2022 production start-up. Statoil initially equivalents, are Statoil with 50 percent, Italy’s Eni with uids production.” —Reuters 20 Established 1961

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Business Technology stocks attempt rebound

NEW YORK: Technology stocks edged higher profits. But technology companies that already Declining issues outnumbered advancers on from European and US traders to the Senate yesterday and signaled a pause to two days of pay the lowest effective tax rates of the 11 sectors the NYSE by 1,441 to 1,076. On the Nasdaq, 1,315 passing its tax plan and that no deal has yet been selloff, while a rally in bank and other stocks in the S&P 500 skidded. Uncertainty over the tax issues rose and 1,072 fell. TOKYO (AP) - World formally reached in the Brexit negotiations,” Chris powered by tax-cut optimism stalled, capping overhaul persists since the Senate and House of stock markets mostly fell Tuesday as investors Weston of IG said in a commentary. Tokyo’s gains on the S&P 500 and the Dow. Micron Representatives must iron out differences in their digested the possible impact of the US tax legis- Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.4 percent to 22,622.38 Technology, Amazon and Microsoft were among respective proposals, with a Friday deadline to lation and the stalled Brexit negotiations. and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped 1.0 the biggest tech gainers, while Bank of America avert a government shutdown looming. Germany’s DAX slipped 0.3 percent to 13,015 percent to 28,842.80. India’s Sensex lost 0.2 per- and retail stocks Macy’s and Nordstrom were At 9:41 am ET (1441 GMT), the Dow Jones and the CAC 40 of France lost 0.4 percent to cent to 32,806.18. The Kospi in South Korea all lower. Industrial Average was up 1.32 points, or 0.01 5,365. Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.1 percent to gained 0.3 percent to 2,510.12, while the Shanghai The Senate approved its version of tax code percent, at 24,291.37, the S&P 500 was up 0.61 7,344. Wall Street looked set for a positive start, Composite index shed 0.2 percent to 3,303.68. overhaul in a 51-49 vote over the weekend. Talks points, or 0.02 percent, at 2,640.05 and the with S&P 500 futures up 0.2 percent and Dow Australia’s S&P ASX 200 fell 0.2 percent to will begin likely next week between the Senate Nasdaq Composite was up 29.50 points, or 0.44 futures gaining 0.3 percent. 5,971.80. Shares in Southeast Asia were mixed and the House, which had approved its own ver- percent, at 6,804.87. The European Union and Britain ended a flurry while Taiwan declined. sion of the legislation. Once the bills are recon- Autozone shares climbed 6.37 percent after the of top-level diplomacy on Monday without a deal The dollar rose to 112.61 Japanese yen from ciled, the resulting bill could cut corporate tax auto parts retailer’s quarterly revenue and profit on the terms of their divorce, as agreement on 112.41 yen late Monday. The euro slipped to rates to 20 percent from 35 percent. topped estimates. McDonald’s rose 1.67 percent, how to maintain an open Irish border after Brexit $1.1853 from $1.1866, and the British pound fell UBS strategists project that overall S&P 500 providing the biggest boost to the Dow, after slipped out of the negotiators’ grasp. But the two $1.3419 from $1.3479. Benchmark US crude gave earnings would rise by 6.5 percent should the brokerage Jefferies slapped a “buy” rating. sides said they were within striking distance of up 34 cents to $57.13 per barrel in electronic corporate tax rate fall to 25 percent and increase Toll Brothers shares slid about 10 percent after consensus, setting up a hectic negotiating rush trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It by 9.5 percent should the rate go to 20 percent. the company’s quarterly profit and revenue ahead of an EU summit next week. slumped 89 cents on Monday. Brent crude, the Stock indexes initially jumped Monday on expec- missed estimates and it forecast a decrease in “The two overarching macro themes the market international standard, lost 19 cents to $62.26 per tations that lower tax rates will boost corporate full-year 2018 adjusted gross margin. honed in on overnight have been the response barrel. It fell $1.28 the day before. —Agencies Established 1961 21 Business Wednesday, December 6, 2017 KFH turns into a success icon in Islamic banking over 4 decades Kuwait Finance House celebrates 40th anniversary

High demand from customers on Islamic transactions. KFH’s Bo Nejbel and Bo Nasser at a staff member’s social occasion.

KUWAIT: On 23rd March 1977, an Amiri decree was made governments ask KFH to operate on their lands by issued to establish Kuwait Finance House (KFH) as a offering it facilities and benefits, which reveals the value of Kuwaiti shareholding company, where the government its achievements that were a result of the sterling efforts of holds 49 percent. These shares were divided as follows: a group of men. The Ministry of Finance 20 percent, Ministry of Justice 20 KFH offers more than 200 different advanced and percent, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs 9 percent, sharia-compliant services in all commercial, investment, while the remaining 51 percent were to be offered as initial financing, and banking fields. During the past years, KFH public offering with a has leaped to be the first in capital of KD 10 million the local market, and rein- (KD 1 per share). The forced its presence in establishment of KFH was global markets, in addition a result of the visions of to its social role and its intellectuals who were participation in many seeking Sharia compliant First Islamic major developmental plans banking alternatives. in Kuwait and the world. The dream of estab- Bank in KFH currently seeks to lishing an Islamic bank innovate more products has come true, and after 4 Kuwait and services to meet the decades of establishment, growing demand of its KFH became one of the clients. largest Islamic banks in Three points distin- the world and a leader of guished the period that the Islamic finance industry. proceeded after KFH’s establishment in the late 1980s, which are overseas investments and KFH global expansion, Signing the decree offering clients prime investment opportunities and innovat- The Father Amir speaks during the The Minister of Finance at that time Abdul Rahman Al- ing products that suit the investors and achieves good rev- launch ceremonyof KFH. Ahmed Bazea Al-Yasseen Ateeqi called Dr. Eissa and told him that he is keen on exe- enues. Moreover, KFH prioritizes global expansion to Durrat Al-Bahrain, which is a $3 billion real estate invest- cuting the project. He also sent him an employee from the cement its plans to become international, diversify invest- Deals ment project, and Diyar Al-Muharraq. ministry to receive the files related to the studies conduct- ment opportunities, and offer new fields of business. KFH participated in the first tranche of financing ed by the committee since 1968. The Minister of Awqaf In 1988, KFH established an Islamic bank in Turkey; The Malaysian government granted KFH a license to establish an Islamic bank in Malaysia, which comes as an worth KD1.2 billion for the KNPC where it that has been and Islamic Affairs at that time Youssef Al-Haji assisted Al- KFH-Turkey that has now over 400 branches. the leader of Islamic lenders. KFH is continuing its efforts Ateeqi in overcoming any obstructions that faced them. KFH-Bahrain works in all economic fields, and is ren- appreciation of its pioneer role in Islamic banking. KFH- Malaysia is one of the most important banks in Malaysia, in playing a key role in the development process in the Later on, Al-Ateeqi discussed with the late Amir Sheikh dered to be an added value to the economic business in country. Jaber A-Sabah the importance of this project, since it is Bahrain as a result of its banking, commercial, investment, has 12 branches, and takes part in the biggest two real estate projects in south East Asia and China. Also, Kuwait’s debt issuance program is good for KFH. the only solution for people who seek Islamic banking and financing businesses. One of its famous projects in This opens new horizons for financing and increases the products and services, which prompted Sheikh Jaber Al- Al-Sharjah Islamic Bank was the first attempt to trans- fer a traditional bank into an Islamic, where KFH led the credit growth. Sabah to sign the decree that was issued by the late Amir KFH also acted as Program Arranger for sukuk offering at that time Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem A-Sabah. bank to become Islamic in a matter of two years. In 2015 KFH penetrated the Euro zone market by under the $2.0 billion Trust Certificate (“Sukuk”) Issuance Program for EQUATE. KFH has strongly contributed in IPO establishing KT Bank AG “KFH-Germany” as the first Islamic bank. KFH is the first bank to operate according to financing the Kuwait’s budget deficit through Islamic Many Kuwaitis were eager to acquire shares in the ini- Tawarruq issues. tial public offering, since KFH was the first and only local sharia in Kuwait, offer women their own branches, issue credit cards with chip technology, provide its clients with Islamic bank, and the first board was formed by Ahmed Digital banking Bazea Al-Yasseen as the Chairman and Managing three banking services in one machine, issue prepaid cards for the family’s expenses, issue quarterly reports about the KFH offers over 200 e-services. KFH lately launched a Director, Mohammed Bu Hendi as Deputy Chairman, state-of-the-art banking service; XTM, in addition to sev- Khaled Al-Ateeqi, Abdul Hameed Al-Obeid, Abdul Mohsen local real estate rates, offer more than 150 free services eral innovative e-services such as KFH Wallet, Visa Al-Toweiresh, Ali Al-Fozan, the late Fahad Al-Dabbous through its website kfh.com, issue Ijarah card that allows Checkout for innovative payment, Banking transaction who was replaced by Ali Al-Modaf, Mohammed Al-Roumi, its holder to own commodities in Bahrain, offer coopera- tive marketing with the full support of the merchants, Push notifications through KFH mobile app, open gold Mereikhan Saqer, Hadi Al-Huweila, and Bader Al- gather all car agents in one place, and offer electronic account online, buy/sell gold, Login to KFH mobile app Mukhaizeem was appointed as General Manager. sharia-compliant trading services, and it has the largest using Face ID feature, new innovative service for the CRM, It took KFH 9 months since it was enlisted in the Trade network of social media among peers. Euro Vostro Account Services etc. Registry in December 1977 until the end of August 1978, where its management succeeded in such a short time to provide the bank with all means, tools and manpower required to start working. On 28th of Ramadan, 1978 KFH opened its doors to its clients, where 170 accounts were opened during the first day. In 1983, KFH moved out from its temporary offices in Ahmed Al-Jaber Street to Al-Emad Commercial Center on the same street, until it finally settled in its current building in Abdullah Al-Mubarak Street in 1986.

Success partner KFH is known to be an Islamic institution made by its customers who are considered to be partners in the suc- cess. The past 4 decades were not easy, but they were def- initely effective because of the accomplishments done, which turned KFH into an icon for Islamic banking, and KFH old office

KFH general assembly meeting. Established 1961 22 T Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Te c h n o l o g y China says its ‘open’ Internet accounts for a third of economy Annual cyberspace conference releases report

SHANGHAI: China’s digital economy accounts for near- was set up to counter western criticism of its internet ly a third of gross domestic product, according to a restrictions, which include blocking Facebook, Twitter report released at an annual cyberspace conference and other foreign platforms, and bans on a range of staged by the government to justify its strict internet content deemed politically threatening to the censorship. Communist Party. Beijing this year has dramatically strengthened its China has cracked down even harder this year, already tight regulation of the internet, but officials and including enacting new rules requiring foreign tech local media have used the fourth World Internet companies to store user data inside the country, impos- Conference to declare Chinese cyberspace is “open”- ing fresh content restrictions, and making it more diffi- but subject to controls cult to use software tools for the greater good. that allow users to cir- The report unveiled cumvent censors. on Monday in the east- Ironically, however, ern city of Wuzhen by Wuzhen attendees from the state-linked Chinese Report assesses around the world enjoy Academy of Cyberspace unfettered web access Studies, said China’s global internet during the conference. digital economy reached Despite criticism of the 22.58 trillion yuan ($3.4 development conference by the US trillion) in 2016, accord- Congress and overseas ing to conference right groups, Apple CEO organizers. That figure is Tim Cook and his Google second only to the counterpart Sundar United States and Pichai made brief appear- accounts for 30.3 percent of the country’s overall econ- ances this year, illustrating the pull of China’s huge digi- omy, the report said. tal market. Apple has come under fire recently for coop- The report assessed global internet development erating with Chinese authorities in purging its app store from a number of factors including industry capacity of software such as Skype that feature secure communi- WUZHEN: This photo taken on Monday shows a man taking pictures of internet security data displayed on and “governance”, China’s code word for restrictions. cations. And Google is thought to be seeking a return to a screen at the Qihoo booth during the 4th World Internet Conference in Wuzhen in China’s eastern “China’s experience suggests that both factors are cru- China after pulling out years ago in a row over censor- Zhejiang province. —AFP cial to a sound development of the internet that aims to ship and alleged cyberattacks. Both executives seem to serve the fundamental interests of the people,” Xu have steered clear of any contentious comments in that as of June 2017 there were 3.89 billion internet due to a surge in e-commerce and the use of smart- Yunhong, an official from the academy, told a news con- Wuzhen. Company representatives did not respond to users around the world, with 751 million of them in phone apps for a range of daily activities including ference in Wuzhen. AFP requests for further information. China, Xinhua news agency said. ordering food, hailing taxis, messaging and playing elec- The three-day conference, which closed yesterday, Official estimates emerging from the conference said China’s digital economy has exploded in recent years tronic games. —AFP

third-most globally of Amazon’s markets.” Retailers brace Retail categories most likely to be hurt by Amazon’s entry include electrical, appli- as Amazon ances, apparel and cosmetics, UBS added. Ireland to start Faces challenges The US firm was likely to absorb losses launches initially to boost its market share, collecting $15bn IBISWorld senior analyst Kim Do said, in Australia pressuring the profitability and margins of in tax from Apple its competitors. Several top Australian SYDNEY: US internet giant Amazon retailers have recently succumbed to pres- launched in Australia yesterday in time for sure from foreign giants such as Japan’s Christmas, with retailers scrambling to cut Uniqlo and Sephora of France, while oth- costs and boost their online offerings as ers have cut back on bricks-and-mortar they brace for an expected shake-up of the stores. sector. The arrival of the behemoth-which But Australian Retailers Association has grown from an online bookstore to executive director Russell Zimmerman wel- one of the world’s largest firms-poses a comed Amazon’s arrival, saying it provided threat to a market already grappling with an additional platform to boost sales. weak consumer confidence amid tepid “With over 300 million active users wages growth. already on Amazon’s Marketplace, the The American giant is offering “mil- majority of Australian retailers view This combination of pictures show photo of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos (left) lions” of products from well-known Amazon’s platform as a supplementary in Seattle, Washington and Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates in Australian brands, as well as small and channel to their current retail offering,” Brussels. —AFP medium-sized Australian businesses selling he said. on Amazon Marketplace. Some analysts warned Amazon would BMI said. “Slower delivery speeds due to in our view of somewhere between two to face challenges, such as low access to NEW YORK: In this file photo, a person stands near They will be shipped from a warehouse the large geographic size of the country five years to hit any form of scale in in Melbourne. Online shopping only broadband and the large size of the island and as a result, more costly delivery serv- Australia.” Amazon, a Seattle-based com- the Apple logo at the company’s store in Grand continent. “A key reason why Australia lags Central Terminal, in New York. —AP accounts for between 8-13 percent of total ices... will not bode well for the success of pany, has expanded far beyond its roots as sales in Australia, leaving room for growth behind its peers (in the development of the an e-commerce company.” a digital bookstore, moving into the gro- in a sector estimated to be worth more e-commerce sector) is the low access to Retail analyst Brian Walker said accord- ceries and other retail sectors as well as than Aus$300 billion (US$227 billion) broadband,” BMI Research, Fitch Group’s ing to his research, Amazon was “produc- cloud computing, streaming video, artificial LONDON: Ireland has struck a deal with Apple to annually. “We believe Amazon’s full entry research arm, said in a note. ing a positive return” in just one-third of intelligence and more. collect up to 13 billion euros ($15 billion) in back into Australia will likely be a success,” UBS Broadband subscriptions in Australia the countries it was operating in outside of It has become one of the most valuable taxes and hold it in an escrow account pending an analysts said in a note ahead of the launch, stand at 57.3 per 100 people, rising to a the US. companies on the planet alongside US tech appeal before the Court of Justice of the European adding that Australia was an “attractive forecast 60 in 2021, in contrast to markets “The rest are still in the various stages rivals Apple, Facebook and Google parent Union. The government said in a statement Monday market where online is under-penetrated”. like Singapore which is projected to have of growing. And that is the point about Alphabet, and in October reported third- that an agreement had been reached “in relation to “Australian online shoppers spend the subscriptions of 75.3 per 100 that year, Amazon,” Walker told AFP. “They will take quarter profits of US$256 million. —AFP the framework of the principles that will govern the escrow arrangements.” The European Commission had ordered Ireland to collect the money after concluding that two Irish Nissan undaunted tax rulings allowed Apple to pay less tax than other businesses - thus giving them an unfair advantage. The Commission ordered Ireland to collect back by bid to stop taxes for the years 2003-2014, which it estimated to be as much 13 billion euros plus interest. Ireland electric vehicle disagreed with the Commission’s analysis and appealed the decision. Apple said in a statement that it remains confi- tax credits dent the court will overturn the commission’s deci- sion once it has reviewed the evidence. “The SMYRNA, Tenn: The head of Nissan Motor Co’s opera- Commission’s case against Ireland has never been tions in North America said Monday that the company is about how much Apple pays in taxes, it’s about undaunted by congressional efforts to do away with a which government gets the money,” Apple said in a federal tax credit for plug-in electric vehicles. Boasting a statement. “The United States government and the 40 percent increase in battery range to 150 miles (240 Irish government both agree we’ve paid our taxes kilometers), the 2018 Leaf will hit dealerships early in the according to the law.” —AP new year with a sticker price of just under $30,000. But that’s before a $7,500 federal tax credit that has been a major selling point for buyers of the previous version of the Leaf or other electric offerings from companies like Tesla or General Motors. The tax credit could disappear if the House version of a federal tax overhaul bill prevails in negotiations with Ford ups electric the Senate, which included the incentive in the bill it passed last week. push in China The Japanese automaker on Monday celebrated the production of the first new Leaf at its sprawling plant on NEW YORK: At least 30 percent of the new vehicles the outskirts of Nashville. Jose Munoz, the chairman of Ford will roll out in China by 2025 will be electric, with Nissan North America, told reporters afterward that Beijing pushing hard to improve air quality for people there is “very clear, strong natural demand” for electric SMYRNA: Jose Munoz, the chairman of Nissan North America, presents the first 2018 Nissan Leaf living in smoke-choked cities. vehicles even without the incentives. “Obviously we wel- produced at the Japanese automaker’s sprawling plant in Smyrna, Tenn on Monday. —AP The Detroit automaker said yesterday that the 15 come support to the EV business,” Munoz said. “At the new electric vehicles, part of the 50 new vehicles it is same time, we’ve built a very strong foundation because introducing to China’s massive market in the next 18 we are global leaders on EV.” production electric SUV, and said it will go on sale in junior senator, Bob Corker, was the only Republican to years, will be Lincolns and Fords. Its joint venture with The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance announced in the US by 2020. Although the first of the new SUVs will vote against the tax bill, citing concerns about adding to Anhui Zotye Automobile Co., announced last month, September that it plans to produce 12 new electric mod- be made in Germany, Volkswagen brand chief Herbert the federal deficit. will produce a separate range of electric vehicles under els by 2022 and that electric cars will make up 30 per- Diess said he hopes it will also be produced at the Haslam said he expects sales of electric vehicles to a new brand. China has the world’s most aggressive cent of its overall output. “We’re going to continue bet- German automaker’s lone US plant in Chattanooga. continue to grow in the long term, though that pace government plans to promote electric cars. It’s stepped ting on this,” Munoz said. Volkswagen is urging Congress to keep the federal tax could be slowed if the federal tax credit ends. up pressure on automakers to accelerate development Munoz declined to say whether Nissan would adjust credits in place. “It’s just a matter of how long it takes us to get to of electric cars by raising the first-year target for a the pricing on the Leaf if the federal tax credit ends. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said he has discussed the where the electric vehicle is the dominant method of planned system of production quotas. —AP Volkswagen last week showed off its I.D. Crozz, a pre- credits with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. The state’s propelling vehicles,” he said. —AP Established 1961 23 Health Wednesday, December 6, 2017 CVS purchase of Aetna pitched as antidote to US health maze

NEW YORK: CVS Health’s proposed takeover of insurer in the regulatory review process for an extended period,” Aetna is being pitched as a cost-effective antidote to the JPMorgan Chase said. complex and at times frustrating American health care sys- Unlike those deals, the CVS-Aetna transaction is a “verti- tem, with pharmacies playing a broader role in patient care. cal” merger that unites companies from different sectors, Architects of the $69 billion deal unveiled Sunday said which has not usually sparked government action. An excep- CVS’s nearly 10,000 stores could be remade to include tion is the government’s suit to block telecom giant AT&T’s wellness and medical testing areas, allowing customers easy vertical takeover of Time Warner, a sign President Donald Kuwaiti doctor shadows access to medical professionals and treatment while con- Trump’s administration may be taking a different approach. taining costs. The shift could encourage more preventive The deal also sparked misgivings among some critics on care and cut unnecessary emergency room visits, including Twitter about the risks of consolidation. Still, as of midday world-leading experts in London by the almost 60 percent of the American population who yesterday, major groups such as AARP had not taken a do not have a regular doctor, executives said on a confer- stance on the merger. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy ence call with analysts. organization, was studying the bill, a spokesman said. The The goal is to create a “new front door to healthcare,” companies do not expect to complete the transaction until CVS chief executive Larry Merlo said, noting that the morass late next year. of health care players including the government, insurers and medical providers can be confusing for consumers to navi- More direct care gate. The transaction creates a health care giant by fusing one Founded in 1963 in Lowell, Massachusetts and now based in of America’s biggest pharmacy Rhode Island, CVS had rev- chains with an insurer that enues of $177.5 billion in 2016. serves about 46.7 million peo- It already provides insurance ple, nearly 15 percent of US under its pharmacy benefits population. Analysts see the New front management system. It also has deal as partly preemptive in introduced “one-minute clinics” case internet retail power- door to into some stores that provide house Amazon enters the vaccines and some other basic pharmacy business, as it has healthcare services. CVS envisions building Dr Yaser Adel Kheraibet entered groceries through its on these programs following the takeover of Whole Foods Aetna deal, repurposing more Market. But the reactions were store space to enable more KUWAIT: Kuwait clinician, Dr Yaser Adel Kheraibet “The system at GOSH is one based on respect not all positive. S&P placed direct consumer health services. participated in the Observership program at Great between all members of the team. Everyone is heard - CVS and Aetna on credit watch negative, saying their finan- Noting that 41 percent of health care costs are shouldered Ormond Street hospital (GOSH) in London. The pro- from junior doctors to senior ones. The focus is on pro- cial risk profile would be impacted by the deal, which could by consumers out of pocket, Aetna chief executive Mark gram enables international medical collaboration viding the best patient care, and all contribute to shar- lead to a one-notch downgrade for CVS and as much as Bertolini said a key objective was to “offer people a better between countries, allowing doctors from all corners of ing ideas to develop the best management plan for the three notches lower for Aetna. While Aetna represents an cost experience.” And perhaps more critically “people are the world to share their expertise, observe clinical patients,” says Dr Yaser. “I feel part of a bigger and practice and witness the latest research and technolo- wider team now and know that I can pick up the phone “attractive” acquisition, it will likely require time before the really confused” about health care, and are “wandering gies that will facilitate better treatment for their and ask for the help of the doctors at GOSH if I need deal boosts earnings for CVS, which will need to issue debt to through the systems, multiple doctors, multiple medications.” patients. help on a case”. finance the transaction, the ratings agency said. “So I would say eliminate the confusion, number one con- Dr Yaser Adel Kheraibet, a specialist in Paediatric His enthusiasm was noted by the doctors, especially sumer issue,” Bertolini said. Neurology at Ahmadi Hospital, had the chance to join the his supervising consultant Dr Prab Prabhakar. “Dr Regulatory concerns An integrated process also would aim to help patients GOSH team of experts for a week as part of his third Yaser showed great enthusiasm and motivation during Wall Street analysts expect the deal to receive heavy with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, allowing for face-to- observership. He received a warm welcome at the hospital his time here. He had the chance to be exposed to sev- scrutiny from government regulators, who have often been face counseling or assistance with home monitoring of the where he attended daily lectures and meetings and dis- eral complex cases where he contributed with valuable hostile to big health care deals. The FTC blocked Aetna’s condition. Executives said they plan to test various concepts, cussed various cases with the other doctors. Dr Yaser treatment ideas. I believe that he would benefit greatly 2015 proposed takeover of rival insurer Humana and balked with all retailers in the chain sharing some common offerings noted that GOSH uses treatment plans that are in line with from our paediatric neurology course in the New Year at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s proposed takeover of Rite Aid, and some stores having enhanced services. The executives the latest research and he is now in the position to bring which will allow him to take strong knowledge back to forcing the pharmacies to radically scale back the transaction. likened the concept to the Apple Genius Bar in Apple’s retail back this knowledge to his hospital and incorporate this Kuwait and implement it,” concluded Dr Prab “While we believe (Federal Trade Commission) risk is ulti- stores, that allow customers the “ability to walk in a store and in treatment plans, for better disease management. Prabhaker. mately relatively low, we would expect the deal to be tied up get help.” —AFP 24 Established 1961 What’s On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 ALARGAN International inaugurates ARGAN Square; community development for youth

Announced photography competition winners

LARGAN International Real Estate Company students can engage in activities ranging from arts, As part of the inauguration of ARGAN Square, a Faisal Al-Bisher. Winners of the competition were yesterday inaugurated the ARGAN Square din- music, photography, fitness, health and much more. photography competition organized by ALARGAN in announced during the inauguration. The first-place Aing, retail and leisure development, catering to a ALARGAN International Real Estate Company partnership with the United Nations Development winner, Ali Zidi from Kuwait University, received a dynamic young segment of the population in the heart CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Program (UNDP) and Kuwait’s General Secretariat of KD400 voucher from the photography store, AAB of the Salmiya area in the State of Kuwait, where they Khaled Al-Mashaan, said: “At ALARGAN, we are com- the Supreme Council for Planning and Development World, while the second-place winner, Fahad Al-Enezi can gather, study and socialize in a vibrant and active mitted to delivering sustainable development. This (GSSCPD), in which university students were invited to from Kuwait University received a KD300 voucher and environment. means that our objective as an organization goes present their vision and aspirations of the future. The the third-place, Noura Zaher from AUK, a KD200 Designed in line with the Company’s motto “Life... As beyond operational performance, as we measure our photography competition aimed to familiarize students voucher. A parallel competition was held on ARGAN You Love It” and extending over 4,800 square meters, success by our efforts in making a positive impact with the Sustainable Development Goals identified by Square’s social media platforms, inviting followers to ARGAN Square is surrounded by Sabah Al-Salem around us. ARGAN Square delivers on that objective, the United Nations (UN) as well as the development vote for their favorite photography. Winner of the Street and the Gulf Road, and is situated directly oppo- providing a key segment of our society with a sustain- goals identified in the Kuwait Vision 2035. 29 students social media competition, Gamila Eid, received a site from the American University of Kuwait (AUK). able development that channels the energies of the participated in the competition judged by the UN KD100 voucher. ALARGAN heavily invests in corpo- ARGAN Square positions itself as a social and cultural younger generations and enables them to share ideas, Resident Coordinator, Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun and rate social responsibility, a key investment that it rec- platform in addition to being a leisure destination where socialize and grow together.” renowned photographers, Mohammad Al-Sultan and ognizes as a pillar to long-term sustainability.

laboration and benchmarking. Lastly, ICERP GUST VP will facilitate “inter-sectionality of thought” among partners so that the impact of the research can serve the disciplines of lifelong accepts learning, college & career readiness, family & community engagement, and societal-scale South Africa among top Boardmanship thinking. Working together, the partners are creating a spectrum of programs designed to 10 countries you need to at ICERP make school more relevant and prepare stu- dents better for a knowledge-based society and globally competitive economy. Professor Donald Bates Dr Salah Al-Sharhan visit in 2018 ulf University for Science and Professor Donald Bates, GUST University Technology (GUST) announced yester- President, said, “Whenever someone from the the launch of the advisory board. Gday the nomination and acceptance of GUST family is offered such a powerful advi- Dr Salah Al-Sharhan, Vice President of Dr Salah Al-Sharhan Vice President for sory position, I am reminded by the wealth of Academic Affairs at GUST, said, “My role will Academic Affairs on the Advisory Board of the knowledge and experience our university has. be to contribute to the board’s expertise in International Center for Educational Research As a knowledge-hub, it is important that we education transformation, future career readi- and Practice (ICERP) at the Vista Innovation be guided by such competent individuals, and ness, and to represent the perspective of the Center, based in San Diego, California. ICERP, we are proud that through Dr Al-Sharhan, we Middle East. I will also aim to foster coopera- which was recently launched in May 2017, will can say that GUST is helping establish such tion between the ICERP, GUST’s Center for be run with support of its three primary part- an innovative and scientifically advanced cen- Teaching Learning and Research, and other ners, the University of California at San Diego ter that is destined to make a huge contribu- institutions in Kuwait and the region.” Graduate School of Education (UCSD GSE), tion to science.” In order for the center to Dr Al-Sharhan earned his PhD in Systems the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) realize its goals, it has extended an invitation Design Engineering, with an emphasis in and the Vista Unified School District, which to Dr Salah Al-Sharhan, to join as a board Computational Intelligence, from the collectively have close to 150 years’ experi- member, and to impart his leadership skills to University of Waterloo in 2002, and has ence in education. help expand learning opportunities for stu- extensive teaching experience in the fields of This three-way partnership represents dents as they prepare for careers in an computer science, computer engineering, some historical firsts, in that this is the first increasingly competitive and complex world. MIS, and intelligence system areas, and has UCSD GSE research initiative physically Selection to the board was based on a taught in several institutions such as GUST, located on a school district campus, and will nomination process which comprises a num- Kuwait University, and the University of serve as the first physical location in the ber of criteria such as one’s professional posi- Waterloo on both undergraduate and gradu- northern part of San Diego County for SDWP. tion, previous contributions towards innova- ate levels. Among Dr Al-Sharhan’s major or those not already lucky enough The rankings include the top 1,250 The center’s primary purpose is to conduct tive education, and the potential to contribute accomplishments are the development of sev- to be living in South Africa, institutions spread across 74 countries neuro-scientific and cognitive scientific to the board in terms of adding a wider per- eral e-learning and e-health models, and his ‘Lonely Planet’ has selected South - up from the top 1,000 universities in research in a school-community setting, so spective to achieve the goals of its mission, by participation in developing the strategic plans F Africa as one of the Top 10 countries 65 countries ranked last year. The that the usual lag time between research and providing guidance on where research should for different sectors in the State of Kuwait, travellers need to visit in 2018. Apart University of Cape Town scored 64 in practice-based findings is significantly be focused, which will then amplify knowl- such as the e-learning strategy of the Ministry from South Africa’s beautiful beaches, the rankings’ while the University of reduced. Secondly, the center is also edge dissemination practices to solve societal of Education which led to the introduction majestic mountains, delicious wine and KwaZulu-Natal and Stellenbosch designed to serve as a crossroads for global issues on a large scale. The center will offi- and implementation of e-learning throughout wildlife, Lonely Planet also gives a scored 50,4 and 49,6’ respectively. partnerships that promote international col- cially begin operation in January 2018 with all schools in Kuwait. shout out to the country’s vibrant cul- Other South African universities ture and cosmopolitan city, Cape Town. featured in the rankings include the The travel guide book publisher says University of Pretoria’ the University South Africa has long been one of the of Johannesburg’ the University of the LAIF holds world’s most alluring countries, and next Western Cape’ North West University’ year it will be even more so ... as the the University of the Free State and country celebrates Nelson Mandela’s the University of South Africa. annual Centenary with an official program of events from sports to the arts. Secretary General “So with more to see than ever, and In other news, the Minister of convention favorable exchange rates offering great International Relations and value, 2018 is a phenomenal year to Cooperation, Minister Maite Nkoana- he Life Abundant international visit South Africa,” says Lonely Planet. Mashabane, has welcomed the Indian Fountain Church (LAIF) held its annual Chile clinched the top spot in the list as Ocean Rim Association (IORA) convention at the National Evangelical it celebrates its 200 years of independ- Council of Ministers’ appointment of T ence next year... and has just added Ambassador Dr Nomvuyo N Nokwe Church Kuwait (NECK) premises. The four- day power packed program featured praise non-stop flights from London and as the new IORA Secretary General. worship, bible ministration, anointing service, Melbourne straight to Santiago. Other The Minister took the opportunity picnic etc. Addressing the congregation, countries from Africa featured in the to thank and congratulate Ambassador Kuwaiti pastor Emmanuel Gharib urged Top 10 list are Mauritius at number Bhagirath for his outstanding and ded- Christians in Kuwait to be good ambassadors eight and Djibouti, on the Horn of icated leadership of the IORA of Christ. He praised Kuwait leadership for nations gather for prayer. He is the first Gulf Christians to follow the footsteps of Christ. Africa, at number four. Secretariat over the last six years. promoting peace and religious tolerance - Arab to become head of a Protestant church. In his message to the faithful, the host pas- Ambassador Dr Nokwe is a dynamic thanking the Amir for his wisdom and fatherly The Guest Speaker Pastor Odoje prayed tor Bishop Jonathan underscored the need SA Universities African woman who was previously care. Pastor Emmanuel is the chairman of the for peace and security in Kuwait. He lauded for Christians to live a life worthy of emula- Meanwhile, nine South African uni- South Africa’s High Commissioner to National Evangelical Church of Kuwait, a Kuwaiti leaders for their efforts in maintain- tion. Bishop prayed for peace and stability versities have been ranked among the the Republic of Mauritius also accred- campus where nearly 100 Christian denomi- ing stability in the region. He called on all in the region. best in the ‘2018 Global Best ited to the Republic of Seychelles. Universities’ survey. This is according Prior to this, she served as South to a US News and World Report Africa’s Consul-General in Milan, Italy. released recently. The rankings were Dr Nokwe is a seasoned diplomat and produced to provide insight into how possesses the requisite skills to suffi- universities compare globally. ciently manage the Secretariat of “Since an increasing number of stu- IORA and further lead the association dents plan to enroll in universities out- to greater heights. She will take up her side of their own country’ the Best new post in January 2018 for a period Global Universities rankings - which of three years. Significantly, focus specifically on schools’ academic Ambassador Dr Nokwe’s appointment research and reputation overall and not presents an historic milestone as the on their separate undergraduate or first female Secretary General of graduate programs - can help those IORA, and gives direct expression and applicants accurately compare institu- impetus to IORA’s efforts to promote tions around the world’” US News said. women’s economic empowerment. Established 1961 25 TV Wednesday, December 6, 2017

16:55 Friends And Cat Noir 22:10 Lab Rats 03:15 American Pickers 08:12 Harvey Beaks 17:20 Friends 21:00 Tangled: The Series 22:35 Phineas And Ferb 04:05 Time Team 08:36 Sanjay And Craig 17:45 Disaster Date 21:25 K.C. Undercover 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am 05:00 Counting Cars 09:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 18:10 Ridiculousness Arabia 21:50 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 05:25 Counting Cars 09:24 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 18:35 Lip Sync Battle 22:15 Bizaardvark 06:00 Ultimate Wheels 09:48 Henry Danger 00:45 True Confessions 00:25 We Still Kill The Old Way 19:00 Lip Sync Battle 22:40 Bunk’d 06:50 American Pickers 10:12 Game Shakers 02:40 The Descendants 02:10 Bermuda Tentacles 19:25 Impractical Jokers 23:05 Rolling With The Ronks 07:40 Counting Cars 10:36 Regal Academy 04:45 The Shamer’s Daughter 03:55 Larceny 19:50 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 23:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 08:05 Counting Cars 11:00 Winx Club 06:30 All The Wilderness 05:35 Batman: Return Of The Caped 20:12 Friends And Cat Noir 00:10 WAGs La 08:30 Pawn Stars 11:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 08:00 Meru Crusaders 20:35 Friends 23:45 Lolirock 01:00 WAGs La 08:55 Pawn Stars 11:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 09:40 The Descendants 07:05 Rampage: President Down 21:00 The Daily Show With Trevor 01:50 E! News 09:20 Aussie Pickers 12:12 The Loud House 11:45 The Age Of Innocence 08:55 Iron Man Noah 02:50 Celebrity Style Story 10:10 Ax Men 12:36 Rabbids Invasion 14:10 Healing 11:05 Rise Of The Planet Of The 21:30 Detroiters 03:20 Celebrity Style Story 11:00 Ultimate Wheels 13:00 Breadwinners 16:20 5 Flights Up Apes 22:00 Teachers 03:50 Hollywood & Football 11:50 American Pickers 13:24 Sanjay And Craig 18:05 Coming Through The Rye 12:55 Misfire 22:25 Nightcap 04:40 Hollywood & Football 12:40 Counting Cars 13:48 Hunter Street 20:00 Bulworth 14:30 In Time 22:50 Idiotsitter 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 13:05 Counting Cars 14:12 I Am Frankie 22:00 Land Of Mine 16:25 Life On The Line 23:15 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 00:00 Mickey And The Roadster 06:00 Hollywood Medium With 13:30 Time Team 14:36 The Thundermans 23:55 Bone Tomahawk 18:05 Iron Man 2 23:40 The Daily Show With Trevor Racers Tyler Henry 14:20 Swamp People 15:00 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn 20:15 Street Fighter Noah 00:25 Unbungalievable 06:55 E! News 15:10 Alone 15:24 School Of Rock 22:00 Under Siege 00:35 Loopdidoo 07:10 Hollywood Medium With 16:00 American Pickers 15:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 23:45 Zero Tolerance 00:55 Henry Hugglemonster Tyler Henry 16:50 Counting Cars 16:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 01:15 Calimero 08:10 E! News: Daily Pop 17:15 Counting Cars 16:36 The Loud House 01:30 Art Attack 09:10 WAGs La 17:40 Swamp People 17:00 Alvin And The Chipmunks 00:25 Rainbow Valley Heroes 01:55 Henry Hugglemonster 10:10 WAGs La 18:30 Alone 17:24 I Am Frankie 02:00 Two Buddies And A Badger 02:05 Loopdidoo 11:05 WAGs La 19:20 Mountain Men 17:48 Hunter Street 03:30 Zodiac: The Race Begins 00:05 Origins 02:20 Henry Hugglemonster 12:00 E! News 20:10 Pawn Stars 18:12 Henry Danger 05:10 Dinofroz - An Island In The 00:50 Untamed & Uncut 00:30 Destroyed In Seconds 02:35 Calimero 12:15 Keeping Up With The 20:35 Pawn Stars 18:36 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn Sky 01:45 Treehouse Masters 00:55 Destroyed In Seconds 02:50 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashians 21:00 Leepu And Pitbull 19:00 School Of Rock 06:30 Felix The Toy Rabbit And The 02:40 Cats 101 01:20 React To That 03:05 Art Attack 13:10 Keeping Up With The 21:50 Ultimate Soldier Challenge 19:24 Game Shakers Time Machine 03:35 Meet The Orangutans 01:45 React To That 03:30 The Hive Kardashians 22:40 Time Team 19:48 The Thundermans 08:05 Dinofroz - An Island In The 04:00 Meet The Orangutans 02:10 Kids Do The Craziest Things 03:40 Loopdidoo 14:05 Keeping Up With The 23:30 Alone 20:12 SpongeBob SquarePants Sky 04:25 Glory Hounds 02:35 Kids Do The Craziest Things 03:55 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashians 20:36 SpongeBob SquarePants 09:25 Moomin And Midsummer 05:15 Africa’s Trees Of Life 03:00 Ultimate Survival 04:10 Art Attack 15:00 E! News 21:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Madness 06:02 Wildest Indochina 03:50 Destroyed In Seconds 04:35 Loopdidoo 15:15 E! News: Daily Pop 21:24 Sanjay And Craig 10:40 The Secret Of Kells 06:49 Untamed & Uncut 04:40 How It’s Made 04:50 Calimero 16:15 WAGs La 21:48 Rabbids Invasion 12:05 Krazzy Planet 07:36 Orangutan Island 05:05 How It’s Made 05:05 Art Attack 17:10 WAGs La 22:12 Breadwinners 13:20 Two Buddies And A Badger 08:00 Orangutan Island 05:30 Origins 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 18:05 WAGs La 00:15 What’s For Sale? 22:36 Harvey Beaks 14:40 Zodiac: The Race Begins 08:25 Meet The Orangutans 05:55 Origins 05:45 Henry Hugglemonster 19:00 E! News 00:45 Valentine Warner Eats 23:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 16:20 Phantom Boy 08:50 Meet The Orangutans 06:20 Nextworld 06:00 Art Attack 20:00 The Platinum Life Scandinavia 23:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 17:50 Krazzy Planet 09:15 Treehouse Masters 07:00 Destroyed In Seconds 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 21:00 The Platinum Life 01:10 Rustic Adventures Italy 23:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 19:05 Funny Little Cars 10:10 Cats 101 07:50 Origins 06:45 Loopdidoo 22:00 The Platinum Life 01:40 Cesar To The Rescue 20:10 Bunny Tales 11:05 Wildest Indochina 08:15 Origins 07:00 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 E! News 02:35 World’s Best Beaches 21:30 Phantom Boy 12:00 Meet The Orangutans 08:40 How It’s Made 07:15 Calimero 23:15 Keeping Up With The 03:30 Island Hunter 23:00 Moomin And Midsummer 12:28 Meet The Orangutans 09:30 Nextworld 07:30 Loopdidoo Kardashians 04:25 David Rocco’s Dolce India Madness 12:55 Glory Hounds 10:20 Ultimate Survival 07:45 Henry Hugglemonster 04:50 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen 13:50 Africa’s Trees Of Life 11:10 How To Build... Everything 08:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 05:20 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen 00:15 Shimmer And Shine 14:45 Cats 101 12:00 Outrageous Acts Of Psych 08:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 05:45 The Food Files 00:38 Shimmer And Shine 15:40 Wildest Indochina 12:50 How It’s Made 09:00 Mickey And The Roadster 06:15 Cool Spaces 01:01 Max & Ruby 16:35 Untamed & Uncut 13:40 Nextworld Racers 07:10 Cesar To The Rescue 01:23 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 01:05 Primal Fear 17:30 Treehouse Masters 14:30 Destroyed In Seconds 09:30 Sofia The First 08:05 World’s Best Beaches 01:34 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 03:20 13 Going On 30 18:25 Tanked 14:55 Destroyed In Seconds 10:00 Bob’s Broken Sleigh 00:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 09:00 Island Hunter 01:45 The Day Henry Met 05:00 The Internship 19:20 Treehouse Masters 15:20 Origins 10:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 09:55 David Rocco’s Dolce India 01:50 The Day Henry Met 07:00 The Lovely Bones 20:15 Cats 101 15:45 Origins 11:00 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 01:00 Man Fire Food 10:20 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen 01:55 Blaze And The Monster 09:20 Everest 21:10 Meet The Orangutans 16:10 Ultimate Survival 11:30 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 01:30 Man Fire Food 10:50 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen Machines 11:25 Baby’s Day Out 21:38 Meet The Orangutans 17:00 How To Build... Everything 12:00 The Lion Guard 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 11:15 The Food Files 02:17 Blaze And The Monster 13:10 13 Going On 30 22:05 Tanked 17:25 How To Build... Everything 12:30 The Lion Guard 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 11:45 Cool Spaces Machines 14:55 Max 23:00 Treehouse Masters 17:50 The Big Brain Theory 13:00 Sofia The First 03:00 Man Fire Food 12:40 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 02:39 Zack & Quack 16:50 Spotlight 23:55 Wildest Indochina 18:40 Nextworld 13:30 Sofia The First 03:30 Man Fire Food 13:05 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 03:01 Shimmer And Shine 19:00 Poltergeist 19:30 How It’s Made 14:00 PJ Masks 04:00 Chopped 13:35 World’s Best Beaches 03:23 Nella The Princess Knight 20:35 Cocktail 19:55 How It’s Made 14:30 PJ Masks 05:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 14:30 Island Hunter 03:34 Paw Patrol 22:20 Love And Other Drugs 20:20 Destroyed In Seconds 15:00 P-King Duckling 06:00 Barefoot Contessa 15:25 David Rocco’s Dolce India 03:57 Little Charmers 20:45 Destroyed In Seconds 15:30 Goldie & Bear And The Magic 06:25 Barefoot Contessa 15:50 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen 04:09 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 21:10 How To Build... Everything Map 06:50 Bake With Anna Olson 16:20 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen 04:20 Dora The Explorer 21:35 How To Build... Everything 15:35 Sofia The First 07:15 The Kitchen 16:45 The Food Files 04:44 Max & Ruby 00:40 Doctor Who: The Husbands 22:00 The Big Brain Theory 16:00 PJ Masks 08:05 The Pioneer Woman 17:15 Fearless Chef 05:05 The Day Henry Met Of River Song 22:50 Ultimate Survival 16:30 Mickey And The Roadster 08:30 The Pioneer Woman 18:10 Eat Street 05:11 Nella The Princess Knight 00:40 Mythbusters 01:40 Orphan Black 23:40 Origins Racers 08:55 Siba’s Table 18:35 Eat Street 05:35 Shimmer And Shine 01:30 How Do They Do It? 02:20 Silent Witness 17:00 Doc McStuffins 09:25 Siba’s Table 19:05 David Rocco’s Dolce India 05:46 Shimmer And Shine 01:55 Food Factory USA 03:20 Silent Witness 17:30 Vampirina 09:55 Bake With Anna Olson 19:30 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen 05:58 Wallykazam! 02:20 How It’s Made 04:20 Orphan Black 18:00 Minnie’s Winter Bow Show 10:25 Bake With Anna Olson 20:00 Angelo’s Outdoor Kitchen 06:20 Zack & Quack 02:45 How It’s Made 05:05 Holby City 19:00 Sofia The First 10:55 The Kitchen 20:30 The Food Files 06:31 The Day Henry Met 03:10 Space Pioneer 06:00 Holby City 19:30 Mickey And The Roadster 11:45 Cooking For Real 21:00 Fearless Chef 06:38 Blaze And The Monster 04:00 Prototype This 07:00 The Coroner Racers 12:10 The Pioneer Woman 22:00 Eat Street Machines 04:48 Mythbusters 07:45 Doctors 00:50 Hear No Evil 20:00 The Lion Guard 12:35 The Pioneer Woman 22:25 Eat Street 07:00 Rusty Rivets 05:36 How Do They Do It? 08:20 Holby City 01:45 Who Killed Angie Dodge: 20:30 P-King Duckling 13:00 Siba’s Table 22:55 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 07:12 Paw Patrol 06:00 Food Factory USA 09:15 Holby City Keith Morrison... 21:00 Doc McStuffins 13:30 Siba’s Table 23:20 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 07:37 Dora The Explorer 06:24 How It’s Made 10:10 The Coroner 02:40 Guilty Rich 21:30 PJ Masks 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 23:50 World’s Best Beaches 08:00 Nella The Princess Knight 06:48 How It’s Made 11:00 New Tricks 03:35 American Monster 22:00 Bob’s Broken Sleigh 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:22 Bubble Guppies 07:12 Space Pioneer 11:55 Doctor Who 04:30 Hear No Evil 22:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 15:00 Chopped 08:45 Blaze And The Monster 08:00 How Do They Do It? 12:45 Call The Midwife: Christmas 05:25 The Locator 23:00 P-King Duckling 16:00 The Kitchen Machines 08:26 Prototype This Special 2015 06:20 I Almost Got Away With It 23:30 Minnie’s Winter Bow Show 17:00 Bake With Anna Olson 09:07 Paw Patrol 09:14 Mythbusters 13:35 Holby City 07:10 Swamp Murders 17:30 Bake With Anna Olson 09:30 Shimmer And Shine 10:02 Space Pioneer 14:30 The Coroner 08:00 The Locator 18:00 Chopped 09:41 Shimmer And Shine 10:50 How Do They Do It? 15:20 Doctor Who 08:25 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 19:00 Holiday Baking Championship 00:10 Yukon Gold 09:52 Nella The Princess Knight 11:14 Food Factory USA 16:15 Call The Midwife: Christmas Hall 20:00 Chopped 01:00 Cold Water Gold 10:14 The Day Henry Met 11:38 How It’s Made Special 2015 09:15 The Locator 21:00 Bakers vs. Fakers 02:00 Air Crash Investigation 10:20 Paw Patrol 12:02 How It’s Made 17:00 New Tricks 09:40 The Locator 22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 03:00 Seconds From Disaster 10:43 Rusty Rivets 12:26 Prototype This 18:00 Doctors 10:10 Swamp Murders 00:20 Street Outlaws 22:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 04:00 Yukon Gold 11:06 Wallykazam! 13:14 Mythbusters 18:30 EastEnders 11:05 Shadow Of Doubt 01:05 American Tarzan 23:00 Chopped 05:00 Cycling’s Greatest Fraud 11:29 Bubble Guppies 14:02 How Do They Do It? 19:05 Death In Paradise 12:00 Gone 01:50 Bushcraft Build-Off 06:00 Startalk 11:52 Team Umizoomi 14:26 Food Factory USA 20:00 Poldark 12:55 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 02:35 Ed Stafford: Left For Dead 07:00 The Long Road Home 12:15 Shimmer And Shine 14:50 Space Pioneer 20:55 The Durrells Hall 03:20 Diesel Brothers 08:00 Every Singaporean Son 12:38 Shimmer And Shine 15:38 Prototype This 21:45 Top Of The Lake 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 04:05 Deadliest Catch 08:30 Every Singaporean Son 13:01 Max & Ruby 16:26 How It’s Made 22:45 Top Of The Lake 14:45 Swamp Murders 04:50 Alaska: The Last Frontier 09:00 Disappeared: The Search For 13:23 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 16:50 How It’s Made 23:35 Doctors 15:40 Shadow Of Doubt 05:35 How Do They Do It? 00:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? Cody Dial 13:34 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 17:14 Mythbusters 16:35 Murder Chose Me 06:00 Gold Divers 01:00 Emmerdale 10:00 Battleground Brothers 13:45 The Day Henry Met 18:02 Space Pioneer 17:30 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 06:45 Street Outlaws 01:30 Coronation Street 11:00 Disaster Earth 13:50 The Day Henry Met 18:50 Prototype This Hall 07:30 Diesel Brothers 02:00 Coronation Street 12:00 Brain Games 13:55 Blaze And The Monster 19:40 Mythbusters 18:25 The Locator 08:15 Deadliest Catch 02:30 The Chase 12:30 How To Win At Everything Machines 20:30 American Titans 18:50 The Locator 09:00 Container Wars 03:25 I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out 13:00 Sea Of Hope 14:17 Blaze And The Monster 21:20 How Do They Do It? 19:20 I Almost Got Away With It 09:25 How Do They Do It? Of Here! 14:00 Every Singaporean Son Machines 21:45 Food Factory USA 00:00 Campus Nightmares 20:15 Swamp Murders 09:47 How Do They Do It? 04:50 Gino’s Hidden Italy 14:30 Every Singaporean Son 14:39 Zack & Quack 22:10 Space Pioneer 01:00 Homicide: Hours To Kill 21:10 Shadow Of Doubt 10:12 American Tarzan 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries 15:00 The Long Road Home 15:01 Shimmer And Shine 23:00 American Titans 02:00 It Takes A Killer 22:05 Evil Stepmothers 10:57 Bushcraft Build-Off 06:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 16:00 No Man Left Behind 15:23 Nella The Princess Knight 23:50 Prototype This 02:30 It Takes A Killer 23:00 Killing Richard Glossip 11:42 Ed Stafford: Left For Dead 07:05 The Chase 17:00 Human Ape 15:34 Paw Patrol 03:00 The First 48 23:55 Six Degrees Of Murder 12:25 How Do They Do It? 08:00 I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out 18:00 Classified: Secret Service 15:57 Little Charmers 04:00 Campus Nightmares 12:48 Storage Hunters UK Of Here! Files 16:09 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 05:00 Homicide: Hours To Kill 13:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 09:10 Catchphrase 19:00 The Long Road Home 16:20 Dora The Explorer 06:00 It Takes A Killer 13:55 Deadliest Catch 10:05 Murdoch Mysteries 20:00 No Man Left Behind 16:44 Max & Ruby 06:30 It Takes A Killer 14:40 Gold Divers 10:55 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 20:50 Human Ape 17:05 The Day Henry Met 07:00 Homicide Hunter 15:25 Diesel Brothers 11:50 The Chase 21:40 Classified: Secret Service 17:11 Nella The Princess Knight 01:30 Man About Town 08:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 16:10 Street Outlaws 12:45 Emmerdale Files 17:32 Shimmer And Shine 03:15 Love And Other Impossible 09:00 It Takes A Killer 17:00 How Do They Do It? 13:15 Coronation Street 22:30 The Long Road Home 17:43 Shimmer And Shine Pursuits 09:30 It Takes A Killer 17:25 How Do They Do It? 13:45 Coronation Street 23:20 Brain Games 17:54 Wallykazam! 05:00 The Matador 10:00 Homicide Hunter 00:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 17:50 Storage Hunters UK 14:15 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 23:45 How To Win At Everything 18:17 Zack & Quack 06:35 The Alamo 11:00 Homicide: Hours To Kill 00:10 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 18:20 Container Wars 15:10 The Chase 18:28 The Day Henry Met 08:45 Into The Woods 12:00 Escaping Polygamy Witch 18:50 Deadliest Catch 16:00 I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out 18:33 Blaze And The Monster 10:45 The Giant Mechanical Man 13:00 Leah Remini: Scientology And 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 19:40 How Do They Do It? Of Here! Machines 12:30 The Illusionist The Aftermath 01:00 Hank Zipzer 20:10 How Do They Do It? 17:25 Gino’s Hidden Italy 18:55 Rusty Rivets 14:30 Man About Town 14:00 It Takes A Killer 01:25 Alex & Co. 20:35 How Do They Do It? 17:50 Murdoch Mysteries 19:07 Paw Patrol 16:15 Ironclad 14:30 It Takes A Killer 01:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 21:00 Huntwatch 18:45 Emmerdale 19:31 Dora The Explorer 18:15 The Last Kiss 15:00 Homicide Hunter 01:50 Evermoor Chronicles 21:50 X-Ray Mega Airport 19:15 Coronation Street 19:54 Nella The Princess Knight 20:00 Million Dollar Baby 16:00 Homicide: Hours To Kill 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 22:40 Breaking Magic 19:45 Coronation Street 00:20 Man-Eater Of The Congo 20:16 Bubble Guppies 22:15 Henry’s Crime 17:00 The First 48 Witch 23:05 Breaking Magic 20:10 The Chase 01:10 Monster Fish 20:39 Blaze And The Monster 18:00 It Takes A Killer 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 23:30 Diesel Brothers 21:00 I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out 02:00 Attack Of The Big Cats Machines 18:30 It Takes A Killer 03:30 Binny And The Ghost Of Here! 02:50 Monster Fish 21:01 Paw Patrol 19:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 03:55 Hank Zipzer 22:25 Gino’s Hidden Italy 03:45 Caught In The Act GPU 21:25 Shimmer And Shine 20:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 04:15 Disney Mickey Mouse 22:50 Emmerdale Reversions 21:35 Shimmer And Shine 21:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 04:20 Hank Zipzer 23:15 Coronation Street 04:40 Wild 24 21:46 Nella The Princess Knight 00:00 Grey’s Anatomy 22:00 Homicide: Hours To Kill 04:45 Alex & Co. 23:40 Coronation Street 05:35 Attack Of The Big Cats 22:09 The Day Henry Met 03:00 MAFS: The First Year 23:00 I Escaped My Killer 05:10 Alex & Co. 06:00 Disney11 06:30 Monster Fish 22:14 Paw Patrol 04:00 Project Accessory 05:35 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 06:25 Supa Strikas 07:25 Caught In The Act GPU 22:37 Rusty Rivets 05:00 Fashion Star Witch 06:50 Marvel’s Spider-Man Reversions 23:00 Wallykazam! 06:00 Grey’s Anatomy 06:25 Binny And The Ghost 07:15 Right Now Kapow 08:20 Wild 24 23:23 Bubble Guppies 09:00 MAFS: The First Year 06:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 07:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 09:15 Animal Outlaws 23:47 Team Umizoomi 10:00 Project Accessory 00:05 The Half Hour 06:50 Rolling With The Ronks 07:45 Mech-X4 10:10 Philly Undercover 11:00 Fashion Star 00:30 The Half Hour 07:00 Tangled Before Ever After 08:10 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 00:00 Million Dollar Genius 11:05 Zoo Confidential 12:00 Grey’s Anatomy 00:55 The President Show 07:55 Hotel Transylvania: The Series Much Everything 01:00 America’s Book Of Secrets 12:00 Life On The Barrier Reef 13:00 Grey’s Anatomy 01:45 South Park 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 08:35 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 02:00 Command Decisions 12:55 Kings Of The Kill 14:00 Grey’s Anatomy 02:10 Broad City 08:45 Bunk’d Much Everything 02:30 Command Decisions 13:50 Monster Fish 15:00 MAFS: The First Year 02:35 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 09:10 Stuck In The Middle 09:00 Supa Strikas 03:00 Missing In Alaska 14:45 Caught In The Act GPU 16:00 Project Accessory 03:00 The Daily Show With Trevor 09:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 09:25 Supa Strikas 03:50 Ancient Aliens Reversions 00:25 The Adventures Of Pepper 17:00 Fashion Star Noah And Cat Noir 09:50 Walk The Prank 04:40 UFO Files 15:40 Ultimate Predators GPU And Paula 18:00 Cedar Cove 03:25 Tosh.0 10:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 10:20 Walk The Prank 05:30 Million Dollar Genius 16:35 Botswana 02:00 The Secret Life Of Pets 21:00 MAFS: The First Year 03:50 Chappelle’s Show And Cat Noir 10:45 Gravity Falls 06:20 America’s Book Of Secrets 17:30 Man v. Monster 03:30 The Sound Of Music Live! 22:00 Project Accessory 04:15 Kroll Show 10:25 Lolirock 11:10 Gravity Falls 07:10 The Universe 18:25 Savage Kingdom: Uprising 05:50 Kung Fu Panda 3 23:00 Fashion Star 04:40 Key And Peele 10:50 Lolirock 11:35 Lab Rats 08:00 Command Decisions 19:20 Caught In The Act GPU 07:30 A Miracle On Christmas Lake 05:05 Important Things With 11:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 12:00 Lab Rats 08:30 Command Decisions Reversions 09:30 The Adventures Of Pepper Demitri Martin Witch 12:30 Phineas And Ferb 09:00 Missing In Alaska 20:10 Ultimate Predators GPU And Paula 05:30 Impractical Jokers 11:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 12:55 Phineas And Ferb 10:00 Ancient Aliens 21:00 Botswana 11:05 Kung Fu Panda 3 05:55 Disaster Date Witch 13:20 Zeke And Luther 11:00 UFO Files 21:50 Man v. Monster 12:45 Christmas Trade 06:20 Ridiculousness Arabia 12:05 Hank Zipzer 13:45 Zeke And Luther 12:00 Million Dollar Genius 22:40 Savage Kingdom: Uprising 14:30 Alpha Dogz: Pups United 00:20 My Giant Life 06:50 Tattoo Disasters 12:30 Alex & Co. 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:00 America’s Book Of Secrets 23:30 Life On The Barrier Reef 16:05 A Sunday Horse 01:05 Fat Chance 07:15 Tattoo Disasters 12:55 Alex & Co. 14:15 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 14:00 Command Decisions 17:55 Molly Moon And The 01:50 Monsters Inside Me 07:40 I Live With Models 13:20 Lolirock Much Everything 14:30 Command Decisions Incredible Book Of Hypnotism 02:35 Meet The Putmans 08:05 Impractical Jokers 13:45 Lolirock 14:40 Gravity Falls 15:00 Missing In Alaska 19:35 The Wild Thornberrys Movie 03:20 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 08:30 Disaster Date 14:10 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 15:05 Lab Rats 16:00 Ancient Aliens 21:05 Christmas Trade 04:05 Little Miss Atlanta 08:55 Workaholics And Cat Noir 15:30 Milo Murphy’s Law 17:00 UFO Files 22:50 Alpha Dogz: Pups United 04:50 Ultimate Shopper 09:20 Kroll Show 14:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 15:55 Star Wars: The Freemaker 18:00 The Universe 00:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 05:35 Say Yes To The Dress UK 09:45 Key And Peele And Cat Noir Adventures 19:00 America’s Book Of Secrets 00:36 Rabbids Invasion 06:00 Obsessive Compulsive 10:10 Important Things With 15:00 The Zhuzhus 16:20 Two More Eggs 20:00 Command Decisions 01:00 Rabbids Invasion Cleaners Demitri Martin 15:15 K.C. Undercover 16:25 Walk The Prank 20:30 Command Decisions 01:24 Sanjay And Craig 06:45 Oprah: Where Are They 10:35 I Live With Models 15:40 Stuck In The Middle 16:50 Penn Zero: Part Time Hero 21:00 Missing In Alaska 01:48 Sanjay And Craig Now? 11:00 Impractical Jokers 16:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 17:15 Mech-X4 22:00 Ancient Aliens 02:12 Winx Club 07:30 Oprah: Where Are They 11:25 Disaster Date 16:10 Elena Of Avalor 17:40 Marvel’s Spider-Man 23:00 How The States Got Their 02:36 Winx Club 01:30 A Short History Of Decay Now? 11:50 Ridiculousness Arabia 16:35 Bizaardvark 18:05 Supa Strikas Shapes 03:00 Harvey Beaks 03:05 Lies & Alibis 08:15 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 12:15 Impractical Jokers 17:00 Tangled: The Series 18:30 Marvel’s Ant-Man 23:30 How The States Got Their 03:24 Harvey Beaks 04:40 Perfect Match 09:00 Cake Boss 12:40 Tattoo Disasters 17:25 Descendants Wicked World 18:35 Disney11 Shapes 03:48 The Loud House 06:15 Big Momma’s House 09:25 Little Miss Atlanta 13:05 Tattoo Disasters 17:30 Bunk’d 19:00 Penn Zero: Part Time Hero 04:12 The Loud House 08:00 Christian Mingle 10:10 Obsessive Compulsive 13:30 Important Things With 17:55 K.C. Undercover 19:25 Right Now Kapow 04:36 Breadwinners 09:45 Love The Coopers 18:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug Cleaners Demitri Martin 19:50 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 05:00 Breadwinners 11:35 Perfect Match And Cat Noir 10:55 Sweet 15: Quincea?era 13:55 Friends 19:55 Mech-X4 05:24 Get Blake 13:05 Big Momma’s House 18:45 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 11:40 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 14:20 Friends 20:20 Walk The Prank 05:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 14:50 Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot 19:10 Star Wars Forces Of Destiny 12:25 Meet The Putmans 14:45 Workaholics 20:45 Star Wars: The Freemaker 06:12 SpongeBob SquarePants 16:25 Ride Along 2 19:15 Stuck In The Middle 13:10 Say Yes To The Dress UK 15:10 Key And Peele Adventures 00:21 Ultimate Wheels 06:36 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 18:15 Big Momma’s House 2 19:40 Girl Meets World 13:32 Say Yes To The Dress UK 15:35 Kroll Show 21:10 Gravity Falls 01:11 American Pickers 07:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 20:00 Edtv 20:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:55 Toddlers & Tiaras 16:00 Comedy Central Presents 21:35 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 02:00 Swamp People 07:24 Rabbids Invasion 22:05 Cedar Rapids 20:10 Liv And Maddie 14:40 Little People, Big World: Comedy 3alwagef 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 02:50 Counting Cars 07:48 Get Blake 23:35 Bananas 16:30 Impractical Jokers 20:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 21:45 Lab Rats Wedding Farm 26 Established 1961 Stars Wednesday, December 6, 2017

CROSSWORD 1777 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22)

A very active day is forecasted at this time. You are under a bit more pres- Someone who truly understands your situation and how you feel will be sym- sure this morning than you have been recently, but that’s okay; you are finishing up a lot pathetic today. You may take heart in realizing just how appreciated or valued you are for of overdue projects as a result. Although you are assigned to do a lot more than usual, your feelings or your ability to take action and get things done. You are kindhearted, you are able to take it all in stride. Trying to establish a plan to get new projects and peo- understanding and sensitive to the needs of others just now and that puts you in an excel- ple organized could take up much of your time this afternoon. Fortunately, you are most lent position to communicate with all concerned. You find more time to broaden your interested in work-related matters at this time, as well as the co-workers. This afternoon thinking and reach for the truth. You feel the need to involve yourself in more areas like could be a period of very involved study and thought. A sudden inspiration will resolve a education, politics, religion, law or something travel related. This could find you searching long-standing worry. If you can clear out enough space tonight and tomorrow, you will far from your established roots. Company may drop by at an inconvenient time. Be pre- be able to make some fun changes around the home front. pared to invite them on an evening walk for good health.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Your recent investments will be showing results soon—patience! Figuring Figuring out how to organize people is likely to be a topic of special appeal. things out is just the thing that takes on a special significance. A career plan that you This is also a time of concentrated study and thought. You are extremely resourceful and have been thinking about recently can now be put into action. You also have a height- can find a way for you to make a little extra money at doing practically anything. You might ened interest in health and diet, as well as an urge to get things organized into a rational also teach others your ideas or techniques. Major financial changes will show positive system. There is much mental busywork today—at home and at work. If you are thinking results. Seek investments you believe in and making money becomes doubly rewarding. about picking out that new car soon, check out all the internet reports or purchase mon- You seem to understand your emotions and drive and you have no problem in discussing ey-guide magazines before you sign on the dotted line—you will be glad you did. Use your feelings with great insight and fluidity. This evening should be a particularly pleasant discretion in making purchasing decisions; you could find it easy to make some wrong time to be with loved ones. You might want to spend some quality time with a few fun choices—especially those that may affect your living situation. games and a little snack, popcorn, chips, drinks, etc.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Assuming risks can bring great rewards. Someone younger than yourself Your patience is rewarded as you work to solve a problem or busy yourself could look to you for answers to problems of great importance. You may to get things accomplished. You feel a clear sense of direction and are learn- figure out how to proceed with plans and decisions with respect to your professional ing to keep your priorities in the right place. There will be no snags now as you work to ACROSS windstorm occurring over land charac- world. You should discover that your talents are in demand by others—whether you are accomplish a couple of long-term goals for yourself before the year is ended. 1. A heavy open wagon usually having terized by a funnel-shaped cloud at home or at work. Perhaps you will find yourself involved in some in-depth discussions Enlightenment and relationships are what brings you the most emotional satisfaction at this two wheels and drawn by an animal. extending toward the ground. or probing conversations; you are at your mental best just now. Sweethearts, children time. Meaningful ties to other people are a focal point for your feelings and you may find 5. 100 tambala equal 1 Kwacha. 5. The basic unit of money in Western and other folks or things that you consider near and dear to your heart are accented at marriage and other partnerships being a means of access for this. Compassion and com- 12. A health resort near a spring or at the Samoa. this time. There may not be a more powerful need in your life than knowing that you are prehension are emotional qualities that take on greater importance for you now. You make seaside. 6. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish appreciated and admired for your special talents; do this for others. yourself available to listen and give advice. 15. The United Nations agency con- gods. cerned with civil aviation. 7. A faint constellation in the polar region 16. A B vitamin that prevents beriberi. of the southern hemisphere and contain- Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. An extension at the end and at right ing part of the Large Magellanic Cloud. angles to the main building. 8. And nothing more. Your innate ability to understand the needs of others puts you in the dri- You support a friend this morning by giving encouragement and a little push 18. A disorderly outburst or tumult. 9. An Arabic speaking person who lives ver’s seat when it comes to communicating regarding groups or society in to go for some new position within the company. Conditions are perfect for 19. A flowering shrub. in Arabia or North Africa. general. Knowing what people really want and need is the main key to your success. You self-expression and work very well with your special way of guidance. You stay focused 20. Someone (especially a woman) who 10. In a straight unbroken line of descent may find yourself more involved in getting things and people organized at this time. You on your responsibilities, even though there are many interruptions. With only a few kind annoys people by constantly finding from parent to child. are not willing to accept the opinions of others strictly on their say-so, unless they have words of encouragement you can help your co-workers gain a focus as well. There are a fault. 11. A word or phrase spelled by rearrang- some proof or authority. Small problems that arise this afternoon may slow down your number of treasures that you have uncovered this year and you are in an appreciative 21. Argentinian cariama. ing the letters of another word or phrase. progress. Your creative and intuitive talents may surface, bringing with them some new mood. Through your words and ideas, you can capture an audience. Poetry and art may be 23. Any of numerous plants of the genus 12. Any of various plants of the genus and unique thoughts and ideas. There will be those that you are close to that will be very a part of this activity. You may decide to take some kind of art class after the holidays to Begonia grown for their attractive glossy Senna having pinnately compound leaves supportive of your eccentricities. Tonight there is some welcome news! enhance your talents. You use your inventive mind to make decisions tonight. asymmetrical leaves and colorful flowers and showy usually yellow flowers. in usually terminal cymes or racemes. 13. A cloth having a crisscross design. 25. A colorless and odorless inert gas. 14. Primitive chlorophyll-containing Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 27. A covered passageway. mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms 28. Graded markings that indicate light lacking true stems and roots and leaves. You may find it easy to make some clear evaluations that affect others at Work conditions may be active and possibly stressful during the day. You or shaded areas in a drawing or painting. 22. Informal terms for objecting. this time. Your ability to make commonsense decisions will be valued. You will succeed in accomplishing whatever you set out to do this day. Your desire to try some- 32. Resinlike substance secreted by cer- 24. English scholastic philosopher and just seem to naturally know what the public wants and you are not afraid to seek help thing totally new and different could lead you on an investigation of some rather far-out tain lac insects. assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285- with finances, if necessary. Something or someone is instrumental in helping you to ideas. Everything is working in your favor to help bring out your more unique and unusual 33. Of or relating to or characteristic of 1349). understand some difficult task that may be needed this morning. Underneath that hard- qualities. It may surprise you just a little to realize who will understand and support your Europe or the people of Europe. 26. Title for a civil or military leader working shell is a very creative and intuitive being; an invention may be seen before much rather eccentric behavior. There are new solutions to a long-held problem and you may 36. English businessman who created a (especially in Turkey). time has passed. Extra incentive and drive insures that you will have a successful future. discover an idea that would bring in a welcomed addition to the savings account. Socially, retail chain (1888-1964). 29. Loud confused noise from many Diet, exercise and work will somehow be important to you, as you sincerely want to feel you could be the star of the next big dance. You have a unique vision of how to put togeth- 40. The compass point that is one point sources. good about yourself and the way that you do things. You encourage family harmony. er some beautiful material, styles and colors. east (clockwise) of due north. 30. Small space in a tissue or part such 41. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. as the area between veins on a leaf or an Virgo (August 23-September 22) 42. Sweet pulpy tropical fruit with thick insect's wing. Pisces (February 19-March 20) scaly rind and shiny black seeds. 31. A less than average tide occurring at 45. Injure or wound seriously and leave the first and third quarters of the moon. Those in authority know of your ability to manage and direct other people Your thoughtful appreciation for ideas and thoughts should make this an permanent disfiguration or mutilation. 34. A lawman concerned with narcotics and could be seeking you out to take the responsibility for a particular job requiring this excellent time to begin a new project in the workplace. This is also a posi- 46. Very dark black. violations. talent. It is a great time to be with others and to work together. This is a super time for you tive and productive period for you, and others are very enthusiastic about something 48. An expression forming a grammatical 35. A riblike part of a plant or animal to use your imagination and creative ability when it comes to new ideas. This, along with you have to offer. Those around you will have no problem in knowing just where you are constituent of a sentence but not con- (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thick- the ability to put your thoughts into words, will allow you to delight and fascinate those coming from, as you are quite eloquent in your ability to communicate. You may find taining a finite verb. around you. You may find a good book or movie to enjoy with your cup of tea, this after- yourself in the middle of a very enjoyable conversation, writing a letter, or getting caught ened vein of an insect wing). up on a bit of reading. You draw to yourself an abundance of beautiful and harmonious 49. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken 37. The capital of Morocco. noon. You should find no problem in entertaining others or caring for people that just need in the Dali region of Yunnan. a little guidance. You may feel especially kindhearted toward a friend. Although this is a relationships to your life. Partnerships and marriage could be some of the key elements 38. Deciduous South African tree having in this now. You aim for a balanced life. 50. A Russian prison camp for political large odd-pinnate leaves and profuse very busy time of year, you find time to enjoy yourself. prisoners. fragrant orange-yellow flowers. 52. Make reference to. 39. Perennial mountain rice native to Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 54. Inability to walk. Mediterranean region and introduced 56. Artificially high. into North America. 58. A unit of dry measure used in Egypt. 43. Marked by or showing unaffected 59. A white metallic element that burns simplicity and lack of guile or worldly with a brilliant light. experience. 60. North American bluebirds. 44. French physicist noted for research 69. A severe or trying experience. on magnetism (born in 1904). 71. A loose sleeveless outer garment 47. Speak in a nasal voice. made from aba cloth. 51. A Bantu language spoken in the 72. The syllable naming the sixth (subme- diant) note of a major or minor scale in coastal regions of eastern Kenya. solmization. 53. A man who is the lover of a girl or 73. A midwestern state in north central young woman. United States in the Great Lakes region. 55. A port city in southwestern Turkey on 75. Having leadership guidance. the Gulf of Antalya. 76. Either extremity of something that 57. Beer brewed for immediate con- has length. sumption. 77. Nocturnal burrowing mammal of the 61. A theocratic republic in the Middle grasslands of Africa that feeds on ter- East in western Asia. mites. 62. A condition (mostly in boys) charac- 78. An agency of the United Nations terized by behavioral and learning disor- affiliated with the World Bank. ders. 63. A knife used as a weapon. DOWN 64. The capital and largest city of 1. (computer science) A kind of computer Mongolia. architecture that has a large number of 65. Massive plantigrade carnivorous or instructions hard coded into the cpu omnivorous mammals with long shaggy chip. coats and strong claws. 2. A hormone produced by the anterior 66. A landlocked republic in northwest- pituitary gland that stimulates the adre- ern Africa. nal cortex. 67. In bed. 3. Radioactive iodine test that measures 68. A quantity of no importance. the amount of radioactive iodine taken 70. A doctor's degree in theology. up by the thyroid gland. 74. A hard brittle blue-white multivalent 4. A localized and violently destructive metallic element.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution 27 Established 1961

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 LifestyleFeatures 28 Established 1961

Lifestyle Gossip Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Ed Sheeran is Spotify’s most Camila Cabello streamed artist of 2017 had to ‘prove’ d Sheeran is Spotify’s most streamed artist of 2017. The ‘Castle on the Hill’ hitmaker herself as an artist topped the list of artists on the streaming service, thanks to the release of his hit album E ‘÷’. ‘Shape of You’ was the top track streamed in both the UK and globally with 1.4 bil- ÷ amila Cabello felt she had to “prove” to her collabo- lion streams whilst ‘ ’ was the most streamed album at 3.1 billion streams. Ed’s ‘Castle on C rators that she was a real artist. The ‘Havana’ hitmaker the Hill’ and ‘Galway Girl’ also made the top five most streamed tracks in the UK as well as Luis felt it was important to make sure her fellow artists Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber’s ‘Despacito’ and French Montana’s ‘Unforgettable’. And know that she was a great songwriter as well as a on the top streamed albums, Ed’s previous release ‘X’ also sat at fifth position in the top five singer and says hitting the studio with the likes of Diplo and alongside Drake’s ‘More Life’, The Weeknd’s ‘Starboy’ and grime star Stormzy’s ‘Gang Signs & Shawn Mendes “taught her a lot”. She said: “I just really want- Prayer’. Stefan Blom, Spotify’s Chief Content Officer, said: “Ed Sheeran absolutely dominated this ed to prove to people that I had something to say and that I year with the release of his record-breaking album, Divide. There is no doubt that 2017 was The wasn’t just a singer, that I was an artist, that I had a point of Year of Ed Sheeran, and we are thrilled that so many millions of music fans have discovered, lis- view and knew exactly the song that I wanted to write or the tened to, and shared his music on Spotify. Congratulations to Ed on an amazing achievement.” Ed lyrics. The first few weeks were me really wanting to prove topped the most streamed UK artists worldwide list alongside the likes of Coldplay, Calvin Harris, that to people and prove to myself too. People I was writing Dua Lipa and ZAYN whilst in the female artists’ category, Rihanna took home the prize for the with were like, that’s actually a really great lyric, or that’s a third year in a row with Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Sia following closely really good idea, or oh yeah we should do that! “That made me behind. Drake, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar and Daddy Yankee were the most streamed male less and less insecure to the point where by the end of it, I feel artists alongside Ed. Camila Cabello, Harry Styles and Liam Payne - who all went solo this year - like the last studio session I went to, I would come in and were the top breakout artists for the year whilst Coldplay, Maroon 5 and Linkin Park - who tragi- know exactly what I want and not be afraid to say it. And all of cally lost their frontman Chester Bennington this year - were the most streamed groups. that is just experience and finding confidence in yourself. All the people I worked with were so nice and encouraging. It taught me a lot definitely.” And the 20-year-old singer has recalled how she suffered from acid reflux when she hit the Noel Gallagher rules out Rock studio with Diplo. Speaking to MTV, she added: “I think in the beginning it was really nerve-wracking. I remember the first time I had a writing session with Diplo, I was so nervous that I and Roll Hall of Fame 2019 got acid reflux. Emotionally, I can just like feel it in body so it was just like that for the first few months. So the first time I oel Gallagher says an Oasis reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn’t going to hap- went into the studio with him, I was so nervous.” pen. The Britpop group’s former guitarist has poured cold water on speculation that the N ‘Wonderwall’ rockers are going to reform for the one-off gig. Noel was approached by bosses of the ceremony, who tried to persuade him to get the ‘Some Might Say’ hitmak- ers to perform and accept the opportunity to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2019 event. However, the 50-year-old rocker says it will never happen because of his fractious relationship with his brother and the former group’s frontman, Liam Gallagher, who he’s barely spoken to since the band split up after a backstage bust-up at a festival in Paris in 2009, which resulted in Liam throwing his guitar around his older sibling’s head. Noel said: “I’ve already been approached by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... The fella from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame came to me and said, ‘Do you know in two years you’ll be eligible for the Hall of Fame?’ I said, ‘Is that right?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ “And he started going on, and I said, ‘Let me stop you there. I know what it is. I know what it entails, and it won’t be happening, OK?’ “He invited me down to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame itself and showed me all these exhibits of Oasis stuff. It’s a great place and all that, but I won’t be doing it, I don’t think.” The ‘Holy Mountain’ singer - who recently released his third solo LP ‘Who Built The Moon?’ - said that he thinks he is worthy of being inducted, but not his 44-year- old brother, who released his debut solo album ‘As You Were’ in October. Asked if he thinks Oasis deserve the accolade, he told Rolling Stone magazine: “I certainly think I do ... There could be a lit- tle miniature of me somewhere - a tiny little thing with a wobbly head.” It comes after their rivals Radiohead said they won’t attend the ceremony in 2018 if they are chosen to be inducted. The ‘Creep’ group - made up of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway - are on the long list of nominees for next year’s honourees, which will be narrowed to five inductees this month ahead of the show in April. However, a representative for the band - nominated alongside the likes of Rage Against The Machine, Kate Bush, Bon Jovi and Nina Simone - confirmed that they won’t be going to the ceremony.

Paul McCartney’s The Killers announce Isle of Wight Festival 2018 UK stadium shows biggest fear headliners announced

The Killers have announced two huge UK stadium shows for 2018. sle of Wight Festival will be head- T The ‘Somebody Told Me’ hitmakers - made up of Brandon Flowers, I lined by Liam Gallagher, The Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci, Jr. - will take to Killers, Depeche Mode and the stage at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Wales and Kasabian for its 50th anniversary. then head to north west England to Bolton’s Macron Stadium for a show on July The prestigious Newport event returns in 13, 2018. Confirming the news on their official Twitter account, the group June 2018 to celebrate half a century as wrote: “Double the trouble, twice the fun. We’ve added two more shows in the one of the UK’s biggest music extravagan- UK. Tickets on sale Friday (sic)” Tickets for both gigs will be available from zas, and organizers have announced a 9.30am on Friday. This comes shortly after The Killers played two dates at stacked lineup befitting of the occasion. London’s The O2 on November 27 and 28. Earlier this year, the group per- The four acts have been named as headlin- formed a secret set at Glastonbury, taking to the stage in the John Peel tent on ers, with Kasabian rounding off the Friday the final day of the annual music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset, south night on June 22, while Depeche Mode and west England. Speaking to the crowd, Brandon said: “It’s good to be here. They Liam Gallagher will have joint billing the say you play the John Peel Stage twice in your career - once on the way up, following evening, with The Killers con- and once on the way down. It’s great to be back.” They wowed those fans lucky cluding the festival on June 24. Kasabian enough to be in attendance with hits including ‘Human’, ‘All These Things That last headlined the event in 2011, having first I’ve Done’ and ‘When We Were Young’, while also introducing new single ‘The played it four years previously, and they Man’ by saying: “This one is for the ladies.” The Killers also played British admitted the history of the site means a Summer Time Hyde Park in London earlier this summer before going on a 12- great deal to them. They said: “We’re date UK tour in November, which included their two O2 shows. hugely honored to play at the Isle of Wight Festival. It’s kind of a big deal Jimi Hendrix played in the 70’s, 50 years on and we’re playing it! “That’s pretty phenomenal, thanks for having us back! We promise Friday night will be the one!” Meanwhile, further names have been confirmed with Blossoms, The Script, James Bay and Van Morrison all part of the first announcement. Isle of Wight Festival promoter John Giddings described the milestone as a “special year” for the event, which he revived in 2002 more than 30 years after ir Paul McCartney has had the same dream the Isle of Wight County Council Act 1971 S that he’s flopping on stage for 50 years. The prevented ‘overnight open-air gatherings Beatles legend might have been attracting of more than 5,000 people’ without a spe- massive crowds to his shows for more than cial license from the council. He said: “This five decades, but the 75-year-old musician is left in “ year’s line-up brings together the best cold sweats” at the thought of turning up to perform bands of the moment. “This is a special and stadiums full of people getting up and leaving. year as it celebrates 50 years since the fes- McCartney - who has four adult children with late wife tival’s first incarnation so it’s fantastic to Linda and 13-year-old Beatrice with second spouse celebrate with returning artists and those Heather Mills - admitted: “Ever since I started perform- appearing for the first time.” ing there is a dream I still have which is you are in a stadium playing with The Beatles or with this band and people start leaving and it is like ‘OK what are we doing wrong’ we try to pull out the big ones but they’re still leaving. You wake in a cold sweat.” The ‘Come John on Gallagher’s Beatles style Together’ hitmaker is currently in Australia for his sold- out ‘One On One Tour’. It’s the first time in nearly 25 ir Elton John has told Noel Gallagher his new album reminds him of The Beatles. The former Oasis musi- years that McCartney has paid a visit to the country, cian is a guest on the latest edition of the music legend’s Beats 1 radio show ‘Rocket Hour’ and Elton was the last time was for his ‘The New World Tour’ in 1993. S not afraid to tell Noel just what he thinks of ‘Who Built The Moon’. Elton, 70, told Noel: “I can hear cer- The ‘Four Five Seconds’ star still looks forward to per- tain things on this album that you probably wouldn’t. I can hear a bit of T-Rex. There’s a bit of Steve forming all of the iconic Liverpool band’s classic hits as Miller I can hear. I can hear Beatles things obviously. But it’s all things that I love.” A long-time criticism of Oasis’ he likes to “rediscover” them each night. He’s particu- music by some is that it is too derivative of The Beatles. Overall, the ‘Rocket Man’ star is very positive of Noel’s larly fond of the uplifting reaction he gets from playing new record, telling him he can’t stop playing it. Elton said: “It’s one of these albums that you just can’t stop playing 1968’s ‘Hey Jude’, which was originally called ‘Hey and it makes you happy.” The 50-year-old High Flying Birds frontman agreed, saying he wanted it to be a positive Jules’, and was written by McCartney to comfort John album. Noel said: “Yeah that was my overriding feeling about it. When I finished the thing it was like, there’s an Lennon’s son, Julian, during the late frontman’s divorce overriding sense of joy in it which I’ve been saying in all the interviews is almost revolutionary these days because from his mum Cynthia Lennon, which was granted in if you’re a guy playing a guitar in a band you’re almost obliged to write about the news. And the news, as we all November 1968 on the grounds of Lennon’s adultery know, is boring, it’s the same old same old. To get that amount of joy in a record is unique these days I think.” The with his now-widow Yoko Ono. On playing the tracks ‘Wonderwall’ star recently claimed it was easy to write sad songs. The ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ has largely time and time again, McCartney - who with Ringo Starr avoided writing sad records and has instead focused his material on “joy and togetherness”. Asked why he has are the only surviving members of the band, which was avoided the songwriter cliche, Noel said: “Because it’s easy. It’s easy to write sad songs. It’s very difficult pulling also comprised of the late George Harrison - told ABC: off this magic trick of joy and togetherness. And, you know, Oasis had it, where you go to an Oasis gig, you feel “It’s like rediscovering them. “When everyone is singing good about yourself. “U2 have got this thing where, if you go to one of their gigs, not only do you feel good about ‘Hey Jude’ it is like we all don’t care about the bad news yourself, but you feel good about the next person too. It’s difficult to do, which is why many people don’t want to and are concentrating on this great little moment.” try to do it because it can be really cheesy.” Established 1961 29 Lifestyle Gossip Wednesday, December 6, 2017 John Boyega wants Yoda origin story Christie inspired ohn Boyega wants to see a Yoda origin story. The 25-year-old actor made his first outing as Stormtrooper- turned-Resistance fighter Finn in 2015’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and will reprise this role in ‘The Last JJedi’. Recently Disney and Lucasfilm have announced they are working with Rian Johnson - who helmed the eighth installment of the hit sci-fi franchise - on a brand new trilogy separate from the current Skywalker saga by Princess Leia and more spin-offs are planned. Boyega believes there are some great “fan theories” that could be used as story ideas for the big screen. Speaking to Collider, Boyega said: “I think they need to go back to the Old Republic, how wendoline Christie was inspired by Princess Leia. The 39- they do in the games, and discover what’s going on there. “There’s some cool stuff in the ‘Star Wars’ universe they year-old actress joined the ‘Star Wars’ franchise as villain can use, there’s cool fan theories they can use that could be part of the movies too, I mean, why not? Personally, I Captain Phasma in ‘The Force Awakens’ back in 2015 and want to see a Yoda origin story.” Yoda is the fan favorite, tiny green Jedi Master who appeared in two of the three G will reprise her role as the First Order stormtrooper commander original trilogy films and all the prequels. The character died during ‘Episode VI: Return of the Jedi’ but was seen this December in the eighth installment ‘The Last Jedi’. When she as a Jedi-Force ghost alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker at the end of the film. Yoda has also was growing up, Gwendoline admits the character Leia - who was appeared in the animated TV spin-off series ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’. The ‘Star Wars’ universe has already played by the late Carrie Fisher - “stayed” with her as she didn’t fit been expanded away from the main movies with ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ and the upcoming Han Solo in with the “homogenized view” of women on presented on screen spin-off. Also there are reports circulating of an Obi-Wan Kenobi film in the works and Boyega admitted he in the 1980s. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Christie said: “I would love to see that film made. He said: “I’m there. I want to know what he was like, I want to know where he watched TV and film obsessively from such a young age but [Leia] originated from in terms of him being a character being young.” really stayed with me through my formative years. She doesn’t care what people think and isn’t prepared to be told what to do ... That was really instrumental to me as someone who didn’t feel like I fit in that homogenized view of what a woman is supposed to be Sir Ridley Scott to make AI led Alien movie and there was inspiration there.” ‘The Last Jedi’ marks Fisher’s last outing as the iconic character after the actress tragically died last ir Ridley Scott wants to do more ‘Alien’ movies but with more focus on artificial intelligence. The 80- December at the age of 60. Recently, Christie revealed she was year-old filmmaker cemented his status as a sci-fi legend with his breakthrough 1979 movie and also overwhelmed with shyness when she joined the franchise and went on to helm 1982 cult classic of the genre ‘Blade Runner’. After having no involvement with the came face-to-face with her idol. She said: “Princess Leia spoke to S me ... she felt different, she was smart and she was strong. When I three ‘Alien’ sequels, Scott revisited the cinematic universe in 2012 with prequel ‘Prometheus’, which explored the origins of the human race and the deadly Xenomorph creature, and released follow-up film meet someone I admire like that, I keep myself as far away as pos- ‘Alien: Covenant’ in May this year. Scott has previously confirmed he will making a sequel to his last movie sible from the person, you know, don’t bother them, eyes to the which will act as a bridge to the original ‘Alien’ and he has now spilled that the story will focus on danger- floor - I am overcome with shyness.” But Christie found Fisher to ous Artificial Intelligence beings. Speaking about the future of his prequel series to ‘Entertainment Weekly’, be an “incredibly warm” person and was able to relax more Scott said: “We are [going to make another], we are. I think what we have to do is gradually drift away from around her. She added: “Everyone around her felt electrified by the alien stuff. People say, ‘you need more alien, you need more face pulling, need more chest bursting’, so I her wit and humanity. She was so open about her struggles with put a lot of that in ‘Covenant’ and it fitted nicely. But I think if you go again you need to start finding another mental illness. The sheer force of personality is ravishing.” solution that’s more interesting. I think AI is becoming much more dangerous and therefore more interest- ing. “[Michael] Fassbender was an AI. Ian Holm [‘Alien’] was an AI; Roy Batty [‘Blade Runner’] was an AI; so was Rachael [‘Blade Runner’].” ‘Alien: Covenant’ follows members on board the colony ship ‘Covenant’ dis- cover what they think to be an uncharted paradise. However, while there they meet David (Michael Fassbender) - the synthetic survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition. The world soon turns dark and dangerous when a hostile alien-life form forces the crew into a deadly fight for survival. The acclaimed ‘Alien’ was followed by director James Cameron’s all-action romp ‘Aliens’ in 1986, David Fincher’s atmos- pheric ‘Alien 3’ in 1992 and Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s much derided ‘Alien: Resurrection’ in 1997 - written by ‘Avengers’ creator Joss Whedon. Two panned ‘Alien vs. Predator’ spin-offs came in the Noughties, inspired by a video game series which pitted the Xenomorph against the Predator intergalactic hunter - a being established in a separate series of movies which began in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role. Tarantino to direct Star Trek movie

uentin Tarantino wants to direct the next ‘Star Trek’ movie. The ‘Pulp Fiction’ director has reportedly shared his idea for the Q next Starship Enterprise adventure with J.J. Abrams, who is said to have agreed to produce the film if it works out. According to Deadline, Tarantino is keen to take the helm of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise and has come up with a storyline for the next movie. J.J. - who helmed the last two ‘Star Trek’ films for Paramount, but is now busy working on the ‘Star Wars’ franchise - has apparently agreed for Tarantino to meet with a team of writers to take his idea to the next level. The ‘Kill Bill’ film- maker tends to write and direct his own original ideas on the big screen, most recently taking on the Western genre with his last two films ‘Django Unchained’ and ‘The Hateful Eight’. He has worked with franchises on the small screen, directing episodes of ‘CSI’ and ‘ER’. Tarantino is currently prepping a movie about Charles Manson, which he had begun work on before the cult leader died in November this year. Margot Robbie and Jennifer Lawrence are among the actresses he is said to have approached to play Sharon Tate - the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski - who was stabbed to death by members of the Manson Family in August 1969. Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are all said to have been in discussions for two male lead roles.

Andy Serkis: The Last Jedi is a Sam Rockwell needs Singer ‘sacked’ from powerful and emotional story laughs on set ndy Serkis was blown away by ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Bohemian Rhapsody because it is such an “emotional” story. The 53-year-old actor plays Supreme Leader Snoke in the new trilogy in the sci-fi saga ryan Singer has confirmed he is no A longer directing ‘Bohemian and will feature a lot more in the upcoming eighth movie - helmed by Rian Johnson - than he did in ‘The Force Awakens’. Serkis admits when BRhapsody’, claiming 20th Century saw the final cut of the movie he was stunned by how moving the story Fox refused to give him time off to look is on the big screen. Speaking at a press event in Los Angeles, Serkis after an unwell parent. The 52-year-old said: “I was so caught up with it not least because it was really intimate filmmaker has claimed his services were and very emotional and I wasn’t expecting that at all. It’s very very “terminated” by the studio after he powerful, and it touches you. What Rian’s done incredibly is make this asked for some time off to go back to dance tonally, between these great epic moments, and hilarious antics, the US to deal with “pressing health literally flipping on a dime and then going right through into the heart matters concerning one of my parents”. of these beautiful characters and you really care.” Filmmaker Johnson In a statement to the Hollywood also confirmed that the film will be darker than the previous movies and Reporter, Singer said: “I wanted nothing said it is “intense”. He said: “I think we’ve been kind of trained to more than to be able to finish this proj- expect it will be a little darker and obviously it looks a little darker. ect and help honor the legacy of Freddie We’re going to go to some intense places in the movie but I hope also Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not it’s fun.” ‘The Last Jedi’ is set directly after 2015’s ‘The Force Awakens’ permit me to do so because I needed to and will show Mark Hamill return as Jedi Master Luke Skywalker - who temporarily put my health, and the briefly appeared at the end of the last film - to train mysterious force health of my loved ones, first. sensitive character Rey. The film marks the last outing for Carrie Fisher “‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is a passion proj- as the iconic General Leia Organa after she tragically died last ect of mine. With fewer than three weeks to shoot remaining, I asked Fox for some December. — Bang Showbiz am Rockwell think you’ve “got to have some levity” when time off so I could return to the US to working on a heavy topic. The 49-year-old actor stars deal with pressing health matters con- alongside Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Peter S cerning one of my parents. This was a Dinklage in the new dark comedy movie by Martin McDonagh very taxing experience, which ultimately ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, which tackles the took a serious toll on my own health. tale of the kidnapping and murder of a teenage girl. However, Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling despite the heavy topic, Rockwell admitted he likes to keep the to accommodate me and terminated my mood on set light and said he always needs to “have some services. This was not my decision and it laughs” when he’s filming. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, was beyond my control.” Singer has Rockwell said: “I think when you’re doing a heavy topic, you’ve denied speculation his exit was down to got to have some laughs, don’t you think? I mean, you’ve got to “a dispute” with lead star Rami Malek - have some levity in between. It’s too heavy for 12, 14 hours. I go who will play the band’s late frontman movie had been temporarily suspended home and watch ‘The Simpsons’ or something.” The film follows Freddie in the motion picture - but due to a personal “health matter” affect- months after the murder of teenager Angela (Kathryn Newton) admitted they did have “creative differ- ing Singer. They said: “Twentieth and there is still no culprit so her mother Mildred Hayes ences” on set at times. He added: Century Fox Film has temporarily halted (McDormand) makes a bold move by painting three signs leading “Rumors that my unexpected departure production on ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ due into the town with controversial messages directed at police from the film was sparked by a dispute I to the unexpected unavailability of chief William Willoughby (Harrelson). When Willoughby’s sec- had with Rami Malek are not true. Bryan Singer due to a personal health ond-in-command Officer Jason Dixon (Rockwell) gets involved, “While, at times, we did have creative matter concerning Bryan and his family... the battle is only exacerbated. Newton, 20, also admitted she felt differences on set, Rami and I success- Bryan hopes to get back to work on the the pressure to be at the top of her game because of who her fully put those differences behind us and film soon after the holidays.” ‘Bohemian castmates were. Speaking previously to BANG Showbiz in continued to work on the film together Rhapsody’ will chart the rock band’s October, she said: “I’m a huge fan of everybody in the movie. I until just prior to Thanksgiving.” 20th story up to their appearance at the Live love all of them so when you get to be in a movie you’re like, ‘OK Century Fox confirmed Singer had Aid charity concert in 1985. As well as I better not mess up.’ That’s how I acted. I couldn’t pass this departed the role, but didn’t say why. Malek, Ben Hardy will portray drummer opportunity I would have done anything.” ‘Game of Thrones’ star They said in a statement: “Bryan Singer Roger Taylor, Joe Mazzello is in line to Dinklage also revealed that he knew that the script was going to is no longer the director of ‘Bohemian star as bassist John Deacon and Gwilym be fantastic. He said: “It’s Martin McDonagh. I knew when I read Rhapsody’” The studio revealed over the Lee will play lead guitarist Brian May. the script it was one of the best scripts I’ve ever read.” weekend that filming for the upcoming Established 1961 30 T Wednesday, December 6, 2017 L i f e s t y l e Fe a t u r e s

This undated image provided by the National Park Service shows Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park in California in winter. Skiers on a lift at Yosemite National Park in California in winter. — AP photos Ho, Ho, Ho, Yosemite A Magical Winter Destination

osemite National Park might not seem seven-course dinner with costumed performers expensive, costing as little as about $40, and like an ideal winter destination, particu- called the Bracebridge Dinner. The wood-and- can be purchased at any auto supply store Ylarly if you’re from a part of the country stone hotel, formerly known as the Ahwahnee, nearby. Snow chain technology has improved where you’d like to trade in road salt for rim salt opened in 1927 and has hosted everyone from dramatically, making it far easier to put the on your margarita and leave the words “wind Presidents John F Kennedy and Barack Obama chains on than it used to be. But if you still feel chill” behind. to Queen Elizabeth and Walt Disney. Winter like you can’t do it, there are services along the But Yosemite in winter is magical, as I dis- can also be a time to enjoy the park’s scenery road that will put the chains on for you for $30 covered last year on a trip there with my family without summer’s crowds. But the weather can or so. Yosemite Valley is about 210 miles (338 just after Christmas. There’s snowboarding and pose challenges as well. Here are some details. km) from San Francisco. But if the winter drive skiing, both downhill and cross-country, as well sounds intimidating, use the YARTS bus service as sledding (pick up a plastic saucer at a sport- which runs year-round between Yosemite and ing goods store on the way). You can also ice Merced, a city located about 130 miles (210 skate at a rink in the shadow of the famed gran- km) from San Francisco. —AP ite formation known as Half Dome. Park rangers also lead snowshoe walks (free with $3 sug- gested donation). Many of Yosemite Valley’s shops and restau- rants remain open. And at the Majestic Hotel, one of the country’s most storied national park lodges, there are holiday decorations and a

This undated photo shows the Majestic Hotel in Yosemite National Park in California in winter. the height of the Empire State Building. On the Adams stood when he took some of his most other side of the valley is Half Dome, rising iconic photographs. Classes cost about $100 4,700 feet (1,400 meters) off the valley floor. but the Ansel Adams Gallery also offers free In winter, the options for seeing these land- camera walks on certain days (tours fill up; marks from anywhere other than the valley are reserve ahead). limited, as some roads in the park are closed until the snow thaws. The cables that climbers Getting there use to ascend Half Dome are also removed for Getting there can be a challenge on roads This undated photo provided by Yosemite the season. that are potentially snowy and icy. Car rental Hospitality shows a scene from the annual holi- But there are walking tours led by National places may tell you - as they told me - that day-themed Bracebridge Dinner at the Majestic Park Service rangers that explain how these snow chains aren’t necessary. They are, to be Hotel in Yosemite National Park in California. huge chunks of granite came to be. They’re not blunt, lying. “California law says if you are The scenery just the result of erosion, but were also formed entering a chain control area, you have to carry Naturalist John Muir once wrote that by melting glaciers and forces under the chains,” said Scott Gediman, a park ranger and Yosemite was “full of God’s thoughts.” Driving ground that over the millions of years pushed a public affairs officer in Yosemite. “Everybody in, thick forests of snow-dusted pine and fir them higher and higher. It’s a way to under- needs to have chains, even if you have four- trees block your view at first of the park’s stand the massive forces that formed the earth wheel drive.” famous granite monoliths towering over itself. Visitors can also follow the footsteps of Rangers don’t enjoy checking car trunks for A cross-country skier in Yosemite National Park in Yosemite Valley. But there’s nothing like that famed photographer Ansel Adams, who made chains and cables but they do it and they will California in winter with the famous Half Dome Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in first glimpse. El Capitan rises 3,600 feet (914 his home here for a quarter century. You can send you out of the park if you don’t have them. formation in the background. California in winter. meters) from the valley floor, more than twice even snap your own pictures from where The good news is that chains are not that

Box office top 20 K-pop titans BTS break into US Top 40 ‘Coco,’ ‘Justice League’ stay on top ith no major new releases hitting the- aters, Pixar’s acclaimed “Coco” again Wtopped the North American box office with $27.5 million in its second week of release, according to final figures yesterday. Strong family films such as “Coco” and Lionsgate’s “Wonder,” along with an expanding list of Oscar contenders like “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “Lady Bird,” helped drive the box office to its best post- Thanksgiving weekend in five years. This image released The top 20 movies at US and Canadian the- by Warner Bros. aters Friday through Sunday, followed by distri- Pictures shows Jason bution studio, gross, number of theater loca- Momoa, from left, Gal tions, average receipts per location, total gross Gadot, Ezra Miller and and number of weeks in release, as compiled Ray Fisher in a scene Monday by comScore: from “Justice 1. “Coco,” Disney, $27,533,304, 3,987 locations, League.” — AP photos $6,906 average, $110,108,708, 2 Weeks. 2. “Justice League,” Warner Bros., $16,651,104, 13. “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” $1,198,440, 2 Weeks. 3,820 locations, $4,359 average, $197,407,025, Bleecker Street, $882,836, 673 locations, $1,312 17. “Call Me By Your Name,” Sony Pictures average, $3,170,258, 2 Weeks. Classics, $295,561, 4 locations, $73,890 average, oy band BTS, pop mega-stars in Records recently said BTS had more 3 Weeks. 14. “Titanic 20th Anniversary,” Paramount, $922,456, 2 Weeks. South Korea known for their dance “Twitter engagements” than any other 3. “Wonder,” Lionsgate, $12,147,182, 3,449 loca- $438,602, 87 locations, $5,041 average, 18. “Marshall,” Open Road, $247,772, 651 loca- moves and social media prowess, music group, defined as the average num- tions, $3,522 average, $87,679,805, 3 Weeks. B $438,602, 1 Week. tions, $381 average, $9,150,000, 8 Weeks. yesterday broke into the Top 40 on the ber of retweets. 4. “Thor: Ragnarok,” Disney, $9,885,936, 3,148 15. “Blade Runner 2049,” Warner Bros., 19. “Jigsaw,” Lionsgate, $222,803, 301 locations, US singles chart for the first time. “Mic The group has been seeking a greater locations, $3,140 average, $291,633,535, 5 $401,403, 515 locations, $779 average, $740 average, $37,603,791, 6 Weeks. Drop” debuted at number 28, driven by a presence in the United States, the world’s Weeks. $90,785,165, 9 Weeks. 20. “Loving Vincent,” Good Deed Entertainment, particularly strong showing in downloads, largest music market, and performed last 5. “Daddy’s Home 2,” Paramount, $7,572,390, 3,403 16. “Junior Majeur,” Entertainment One Films, $213,066, 162 locations, $1,315 average, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the month on the televised American Music locations, $2,225 average, $82,886,836, 4 Weeks. $345,710, 87 locations, $3,974 average, $5,503,561, 11 Weeks. — AP week through Thursday. The band incor- Awards. But BTS has yet to reach the 6. “Murder on the Orient Express,” 20th porates more R&B and hip-hop into its global viral proportions of fellow Korean Century Fox, $6,767,002, 3,201 locations, $2,114 sound than most K-pop groups. “Mic star Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” whose 2012 average, $84,839,515, 4 Weeks. Drop,” driven by a dark percussion line, video with its equestrian-themed dance 7. “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri,” features a contribution by star New York routine was the first to hit one billion Fox Searchlight, $4,396,537, 1,430 locations, rapper Desiigner and mixing by leading views on YouTube. $3,075 average, $13,537,057, 4 Weeks. electronic dance producer Steve Aoki. “Gangnam Style” controversially 8. “Lady Bird,” A24, $4,291,590, 1,194 locations, The song appears on the EP “Love only reached number two on the $3,594 average, $16,837,041, 5 Weeks. Yourself: Her,” which earlier this year hit Billboard Hot 100 — before tracking 9. “The Star,” Sony, $4,078,423, 2,822 locations, number seven on the US album chart, the firm Nielsen Music made changes to $1,445 average, $27,358,076, 3 Weeks. highest ever for a Korean act. Formed in give greater weight to YouTube views. 10. “A Bad Moms Christmas,” STX In this image released by 2013 by the Big Hit Entertainment com- Only one Asian-language track has ever Entertainment, $3,385,484, 2,251 locations, Disney-Pixar, character pany, the seven-member boy band has made it to number one on the Hot 100 $1,504 average, $64,737,307, 5 Weeks. Hector, voiced by Gael quickly become a top act in South Korea, Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto’s “Ue o 11. “Roman J. Israel, Esq.,” Sony, $1,958,702, Garcia Bernal, left, and Japan and other Asian markets. The group Muite Arukou,” marketed to English 1,669 locations, $1,174 average, $9,526,792, 3 Miguel, voiced by is a constant social media presence in speakers by the unconnected title Weeks. Anthony Gonzalez, appear tech-savvy South Korea. Guinness World “Sukiyaki,” in 1963. —AFP 12. “The Disaster Artist,” A24, $1,211,345, 19 in a scene from the locations, $63,755 average, $1,211,345, 1 Week. animated film, “Coco.” Established 1961 31

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Lifestyle Obituary Bollywood bids farewell to Indian film legend Shashi Kapoor

ollywood stars paid their last respects to most famous lines-’Mere paas maa hai’ (I have a screen legend Shashi Kapoor at his funeral mother). Shashi appeared in the Merchant Ivory Byesterday as tributes poured in for the mul- films “The Householder” (1963), “Heat and Dust” tiple award-winning actor who died after a long (1983) and “Shakespeare Wallah” (1965).In 1972 illness. Veteran Indian cinema icon Amitabh he starred alongside actress Simi Garewal in the Bachchan, who starred alongside Kapoor in sev- American film “Siddhartha”. Garewal said she was eral hit Hindi films of the 1970s, and actor Shah “deeply saddened” by Kapoor’s death. “The last Rukh Khan were among mourners at the ceremo- of that generation of Kapoors is gone. A gentle- ny in Mumbai, the home of Bollywood. Kapoor man and friend is gone. All that remain are his appeared in more than 150 films and was a mem- memories,” read a post on her Twitter page. ber of Indian cinema’s most famous acting Acclaimed director Karan Johar described dynasty. He died on Monday aged 79 after a Kapoor as “the most charming and enigmatic years-long battle with kidney disease. actor ever... a gentleman movie star!” “His legacy Actors and directors from across the Hindi in film and theatre is exceptional...thoughts and movie industry paid tribute to Kapoor who was prayers with the family....his work will always live one of the first Indian actors to work abroad, on...” Johar wrote on Twitter. “Innumerable appearing in several Merchant Ivory films. He Bollywood dreams came to life watching your often played the role of romantic action hero and iconic dialogue, ‘Mere paas maa hai’,” tweeted was known for his suave good looks. In a blog actor Akshay Kumar, adding: “Your tremendous post yesterday Bachchan described Kapoor as an contribution to cinema will always be remem- “incredibly handsome man” with a “devastating bered. RIP #ShashiKapoor ji”. Shashi Kapoor smile complementing the twinkle in his eyes”. was married to English actress Jennifer Kendal for Shashi was the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor, 26 years until her death in 1984. a pioneer of Hindi film and theatre. His eldest This file photo taken on October 4, 2015 shows He won numerous acting prizes and in 2011 brother Raj Kapoor, who died in 1988, was also a Indian Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor receiving a was honored with the Padma Bhushan, one of famous Hindi movie star. Shashi’s most memorable lifetime achievement award at the closing ceremony India’s highest civilian awards. Shashi’s nephew roles were in such films as “Jab Jab Phool Khile” of the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai. Rishi Kapoor and Rishi’s son, Ranbir, both also (Whenever The Flowers Bloom, 1965), “Kabhi He was also adored for his role opposite famous actors, attended yesterday’s funeral held Kabhie” (Sometimes, 1976), and “Kalyug” (Age of Bachchan in the hit movie “Deewaar” (The Wall, in unseasonal rain brought by Cyclone Ockhi off Downfall, 1981). 1975) in which he delivered one of Hindi cinema’s India’s west coast.—AFP

In this May 10, 2015 file photo, Bollywood actors, clockwise from left, Karisma Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Rekha and Neetu Singh pose for a selfie with Veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor, sit- ting, at a ceremony where Shashi Kapoor was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in Mumbai, India. — AP/AFP photos

Friends and relatives carry the body of Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor during his funeral in Mumbai, India yesterday.

This file photo taken on May 10, 2015 shows Indian veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor (left) and his daughter Sanjana Kapoor interacting during the presentation of the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’ for his contribution to Indian cinema at Prithvi Theater in Mumbai.

Indian Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan attends the funeral of Indian veteran Bollywood actor Indian Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. Indian Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff. Shashi Kapoor in Mumbai.

Indian Bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt (left) and Anil Kapoor (right) attend the funeral of Indian vet- eran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor.

Indian Bollywood actress Sanjana Kapoor (left), with her son Hamir, attends the funeral of her Indian Bollywood actor Karan Kapoor. Indian Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor attends the Indian Bollywood actors Naseeruddin Shah (right) father veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor. funeral of his father Shashi Kapoor. with his wife Ratna Pathak. Established 1961 Lifestyle

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

This photograph shows Pakistani horse riders charging across a course holding a lance to pick up pegs at a tent-pegging competition during an annual festival at the village of Kot Fateh Khan in Attock district in Punjab province. — AFP photos Jousting for support, Pakistan’s bid to keep cavalry sport alive

A Pakistani horse rider charging across a course holding a lance Pakistani traditional drummers performing at a tent-pegging competition. Pakistani horse riders holding lances that are used to pick up pegs to pick up pegs at a tent-pegging competition. at a tent-pegging competition. estooned with garlands and colorful As announcers wail into microphones, participate at the week-long festival. But bridles, turbaned riders mounted on riders with lances spur their steeds into a despite the abundance of horses, partici- Fhorseback in full gallop lower their sprint toward small wooden blocks wedged pants fear their beloved sport is in dire need lances at tiny wooden blocks as they prac- in the earth, aiming to pierce the targets with of fresh blood, as the number of breeders tice the centuries-old tradition of tent-peg- their jousts. “This festival has taken place raising steeds and riders training for the ging in Pakistan. Less than a two-hour drive competition continues to wane nationwide. from the capital Islamabad, thousands gath- “The love of breeding horses has been... er at a freshly ploughed grounds to watch reduced to a few families,” says Haroon

the equine festival in a competition that can The love of Bandial, a World Cup gold medallist. “Tent see riders tossed from their mounts, break- pegging is played a lot in Punjab, but it’s lim-

ing bones or worse during the dangerous “ breeding horses ited to only three to four families in KPK spectacle. (Khyber Pakhtunkhawa), a couple of families Tent-pegging competitions have been has been... “ in Balochistan and in Sindh also one family held in the subcontinent for hundreds of or so,” he adds, citing the enormous cost of years but now have largely been reduced to reduced to raising horses as a barrier to entry. the odd festival, with Pakistan’s most popu- Aficionados of the sport say they begin lous Punjab province hosting the majority of a few families training the horses at 16 months of age, a such events. Diehard fans of the cavalry process which can take over two years to sport worry that the tradition is on its last complete, while riders need at least three legs, in the absence of official support and a years in the saddle to prepare. However, lack of popularity among the young, urban from the 18th century,” Malik Atta Khan remains hopeful that the tradition still Pakistani masses. But in northern Punjab’s Muhammad Khan tells AFP after taking a has the potential to grow. “There are many Kot Fateh Khan, fans show up droves to stab at a wooden block from horseback. events compared to previous years,” he cheer on the brazen riders, decked out in Khan, who claims his great, great grandfa- explains. “Tent pegging is growing in every Pakistani horse riders charging across a course holding a lance to pristine white tunics and multi-coloured ther “eight generations back” once ruled village and many people have started to take pick up pegs at a tent-pegging competition. waistcoats on freshly polished saddles. Kabul, says over one thousand horses will new horses.” — AFP

Pakistani horse riders holding lances that are used to pick up pegs at a tent-pegging competition during an annual festival at the village of Kot Fateh Khan in Attock district in Punjab province.